I Have a Pandemic Hangover

I could get more sleep, but I’d still be tired.

I could eat right and exercise a little more and make plenty of time for self-care, but I’d still feel completely depleted.

I guess I'm worn allllllll the way out.

I’m tired.

Tired of masks and taking temperatures and filling out screening questionnaires everywhere I go.

Tired of virtual learning on Wednesdays and trying to get my first-grader to put his godforsaken spelling words into alphabetical order.

Tired of zoom meetings and log-ins and passwords for a million learning apps and school basketball games via livestream.

I’m just...tired.

I realize things are beginning to open up now, and I want to feel excited.

And happy.

And grateful.

And hopeful.

But I think I’m too tired!

Tired of the news and shootings and controversy and angry comment threads.

Tired of division even among our extended family members.

Tired of feeling sad.

Or outraged.

Or scared.

Or numb.

I want to plan a summer vacation or a girls’ trip with my college friends.

I want to read over the school’s plan toward a more normal schedule next year.

I want to fill up the white spaces on our calendar with soccer games and birthday parties and basketball tournaments.

I want to look forward to being at ALL of it.

In person!!

But mostly I want to lay down and sleep for a year.

Call it one big pandemic hangover.

I guess it’s going to take some time.

Even as the world starts spinning and calendars fill up and people celebrate getting back together.

And back to normal.

And back to LIFE.

I’m going to need some time for recovery before I jump back in…

I’m just so tired.