Has it been a surprise or newsworthy revelation to anyone, all the changes that have come from COVID? I guess the entire nature of the situation, and COVID itself, was (the highly popular phrase that everyone became sick of hearing) "the new normal." When was there ever a new normal in society? I mean, at the rate that it happened.
A pandemic that no one saw coming wreaked havoc on the world. And the aftermath of it all, has garnered tremendous never-before-seen changes. Such as WFH, families and individuals choosing to leave jobs they worked years at, for a quieter and slower lifestyle instead. Personally, the last three years have been difficult and challenging for myself as well, and I have close friends who have felt the same.
I don't know if it's my age, or timing, or COVID, or maybe all of it. But I've found myself in situations that I had never experienced prior to COVID. Again, being that the nature of coronavirus was unprecedented and everyone was in the dark of how long it would last, what we were supposed to do in the meantime, how to manage finances, etc.. the list goes on and on. Is it not so unreasonable then, that an unprecedented worldwide pandemic brings on unprecedented changes in society?
Honestly, although the pandemic has ended and many things have reverted to how they were before, I find myself still feeling mixed up and unsure on a pretty consistent basis. Especially in the area of education and children, it's been, pardon the language.. a shitshow since 2020. The education industry was never one for folks looking to make bank, however, since COVID-19 hit, things have become that much worse. Online messages, public displays of gratitude and appreciation for those in the industry, while appreciated, do not garner REAL change for those of us working on the floor. If only. Everyday since 2020, it feels like my frustration is just about to spill over. All the time, everyday, the cup is about to spill over. I feel for myself and my colleagues, especially those who work with young young children (elementary years and under).
As a kid we all wanted to be adults. Why oh why?
Nowadays happiness comes in simple forms. A warm sunny day. A coffee. Talks with loved ones. Excursions to nature. Hugs from my dog. Daily hugs from my dog.