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
My first published version of this had two pix twice! Sorry about that.
ReplyDeleteThe random connections were already fraying from the electronic distractions. I hope we can maintain them despite the necessary distancing.
ReplyDeleteEarly in the t.p. panic a sweet older woman mentioned alternatives . . . not so very pleasant to contemplate, but like cloth diapers, manageable if absolutely necessary (let's hope not needed, but reassuring).
There's so much we could have learned from all of this. And some people have.
DeleteMy move to AZ mid-pandemic, where I knew no one but the sister I moved in with, wasn't a large a challenge as one might think. Very nice neighbors (& some of her friends) made me feel right at home. The local (Desert Sleuths) chapter of Sisters in Crime pulled me right in and let me pick up some virtual duties which I am still doing today, and so many Zoom writes-ins, workshops, seminars, and just "daily check-ins" helped my writing along fabulously. While I wrote daily before this, I did not have as many hours available, so I've had to add walking routines for health. My hope is to continue these good habits and root any less-good ones. Oh, and at one point before my move, my manager gave me 2 rolls of TP from her office supply because I was running out and hadn't been able to find any for 3 weeks!
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful that you had friends so soon in the new place! Hope you continue on your new way with much success. And plenty of TP.
DeleteMy husband has been stockpiling TP for years, so that's nothing new. I carry masks in my purse but now forget to put them on before I get out of the car; it's like they've grown to my face, so why should I need to put one on? I hope to go to Waco for the next solar eclipse, so maybe I should be buying extra-extra TP for that. I understand Colorado was afraid of running out last time.
ReplyDeleteAh, a fellow hoarder. Hey, I'd almost forgotten about that next eclipse! Is that next year? I need to find my eclipse glasses and plan on the trip.
DeleteI just looked it up. Austin gets one in 2024. April 8th, 1:36 pm. Dallas 1:40.
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