Since March we’ve been living intensely with this pandemic. I started in February when I cancelled my trip to Italy. As you know, I’m happy with solitude; in fact it’s been my stated preference for the past ten years. Thus the self-quarantining and isolation hasn’t been particularly difficult for me. In fact, I’ve often liked the excuse to stay home.
However, now that Covid-19 has extended its stay without an end in sight, I notice something is changing. People, and that includes me, are not only physically distancing, but psychologically doing so. We have less desire to socialize, and it isn’t only because we have fewer stories to tell. We are retreating into our own worlds.
For those of us privileged to have food on our table, this isn’t entirely a bad thing. The opportunity is there for us to face our demons (the bad) and sit with God (the good). For those of us who are introverts, it is an opportunity to find new ways of living in solitude. For those who are extroverts, however, I trust that in is a considerable challenge, whether the challenge be welcomed or unwanted.
However, now that Covid-19 has extended its stay without an end in sight, I notice something is changing. People, and that includes me, are not only physically distancing, but psychologically doing so. We have less desire to socialize, and it isn’t only because we have fewer stories to tell. We are retreating into our own worlds.
For those of us privileged to have food on our table, this isn’t entirely a bad thing. The opportunity is there for us to face our demons (the bad) and sit with God (the good). For those of us who are introverts, it is an opportunity to find new ways of living in solitude. For those who are extroverts, however, I trust that in is a considerable challenge, whether the challenge be welcomed or unwanted.
