12/7 Habits, Old and New
It’s nearly the end of the year. Good riddance again, right? I hope we don’t say that again next year at this time, but you never know. In fact, we’ve found out so much that we didn’t know—that no one knew—about the new virus, and what to do about it. Maybe we’ll be better prepared should another one come along in the lifetime of anyone living today.
Anyway, what I wanted to write about is the subject of
taking stock. We add up what we got accomplished this year, and set down, at
least in our minds, what we want to make happen next year. I know, the million
dollar lottery, NY Times bestseller list, true love, those are on some lists, I’m
sure.
I want to talk about habits, though. Many of my habits,
lifelong habits, did not serve me well for the pandemic. One thing I’ve always
liked to do when I standing in a line, like at the grocery store, is to try to
chat with those around me. The way to initiate that is with a friendly smile
and an observation of something happening, or a compliment on the person’s
clothing, hair, nails. This last one fulfills part of my mission to try to make
a person’s day better. Also, if they tell me something interesting…well…everything’s
material. So that’s my selfish mission.
BUT, this is really hard to do when you’re not going to the
grocery store. Then when you do go, you’re standing at least six feet from
everyone (ideally) and wearing a mask. I know, you can smile with your eyes,
but it’s hard to see. And you’re six or eight feet away.
It was time last year to form new habits. Buying lots of
toilet paper. (I heard, knock on wood, that it’s scarce AGAIN.) Using hand
sanitizer, opening doors with your shirt tail or your elbow, pressing elevator
buttons with your knuckle. Washing your hand a lot. Making sure you have a mask
in the car before you set out. Coming back to get one because you forgot to do
that.
I wonder which of these are habits I’ll keep up. If any. I’ll admit, I’ve gotten a little obsessed with buying TP. I find it hard to not get is every time I shop. That should be self-limiting when my closet runs completely out of space, one would think. I hope, though, that someday I’ll quit buying it and won’t need to stockpile any more. 2022? 2023? Who knows? No one.
Photos are mine
