I Am Not Ready to Go Back

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Abstract

when the sun was out, the weather was cold. Except for groceries and essential work, we couldn’t go anywhere. I hardly saw people. I went on unnecessary grocery trips just to see people. Living this way was not sustainable.</p><p id="46f9">I applauded the efforts of the government in controlling the pandemic, but the mental health of most people was in jeopardy, <a href="https://readmedium.com/my-mental-health-took-a-bigger-blow-than-i-thought-be37de06eabd">me inclusive</a>. It was lonely. I didn’t have immediate family or housemates. They shut common rooms down to control the pandemic. People were itching to meet, but there were real restrictions for good reason.</p><p id="bfcf">Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometers away, things were different. The infection numbers were relatively low. I am still puzzled by this. Social distancing, mask-wearing, and handwashing were happening. People were getting vaccines as well. Of course, there were deviants and skeptics.</p><p id="1fc9">Busybody was never in short supply. People could show up uninvited to random gatherings with their masks strapped on. They complied to ensure they got in through the door. This was a free ticket to nice meals and entertainment. At least, I saw it happen at Dad’s burial. <a href="https://readmedium.com/this-is-a-piece-on-habits-9eb3562a6f20">The trend was to be socially responsible.</a></p><p id="8cea">For me, my health was much better. My mood was better. I had good company. It was funn

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y cos I returned at a time people were leaving in droves. Those who hadn’t left were actively planning or looking for relocation sponsors. Very few people wanted to stay behind. I was in no hurry to return. Every time someone asked me when I would return, the dates changed. What of work? My last role was a part-time role and because of covid restrictions, became remote. Other roles I interviewed for were remote as well.</p><p id="8610">As per North America, the only things I needed were to keep in touch with my landlady and manage my friends who sent me on <i>courier errands</i>. I also called the airline and asked them to keep my ticket open. Now I could have some peace while enjoying the weather, the food, and the splendid company. I will go back at some point, but it’s not today, and it’s not tomorrow.</p><div id="ca1f" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/life-weddings-health-and-what-have-you-8dc2f8bf1e10"> <div> <div> <h2>Life; Weddings, Health and What Have You…</h2> <div><h3>Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.- John Lennon</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*-Kla-Rr1aFP_EHYv3n1wGg.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

“We are our choices.”- Jean-Paul Sartre

When I left North America in March, my intention was to return in May. At least, that was what my ticket said. That was also what I told my landlady. I don’t think she believed me. When my sisters asked me, I told them I was returning in May. One of them remarked: “Ok good, you are home long enough.” Now that Dad had gone, Mum was alone. Her nest was empty. It was a relief that someone would stay with her.

Prepping for the trip home was arduous. Honestly, one had no business getting on the plane for flimsy reasons. Dad’s burial was the main reason I had jumped on the plane. I knew there were a few other things I would try to achieve. It’s not very often one travels thousands of kilometers, so I intended to maximize the trip.

Back home, people’s morals were low. Amid this, I had returned and wasn’t in a hurry to go back. Why would I want to? I lived in a cold country. Even when the sun was out, the weather was cold. Except for groceries and essential work, we couldn’t go anywhere. I hardly saw people. I went on unnecessary grocery trips just to see people. Living this way was not sustainable.

I applauded the efforts of the government in controlling the pandemic, but the mental health of most people was in jeopardy, me inclusive. It was lonely. I didn’t have immediate family or housemates. They shut common rooms down to control the pandemic. People were itching to meet, but there were real restrictions for good reason.

Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometers away, things were different. The infection numbers were relatively low. I am still puzzled by this. Social distancing, mask-wearing, and handwashing were happening. People were getting vaccines as well. Of course, there were deviants and skeptics.

Busybody was never in short supply. People could show up uninvited to random gatherings with their masks strapped on. They complied to ensure they got in through the door. This was a free ticket to nice meals and entertainment. At least, I saw it happen at Dad’s burial. The trend was to be socially responsible.

For me, my health was much better. My mood was better. I had good company. It was funny cos I returned at a time people were leaving in droves. Those who hadn’t left were actively planning or looking for relocation sponsors. Very few people wanted to stay behind. I was in no hurry to return. Every time someone asked me when I would return, the dates changed. What of work? My last role was a part-time role and because of covid restrictions, became remote. Other roles I interviewed for were remote as well.

As per North America, the only things I needed were to keep in touch with my landlady and manage my friends who sent me on courier errands. I also called the airline and asked them to keep my ticket open. Now I could have some peace while enjoying the weather, the food, and the splendid company. I will go back at some point, but it’s not today, and it’s not tomorrow.