As of this writing, we are beginning our 6the week of lockdown. In the media, there’s increasing talk of easing restrictions, and we even have a date for the reopening of schools and daycare centers. But as François and Horacio said, this will happen only if the situation remains under control.
In the meantime, life goes on for families. Children are adapting and developing new skills in addition to the educational materials sent by their teachers. During yet another walk—on the day marking the first month of lockdown—certain things struck me. So here is a very random list of my reflections from this time in lockdown.
- I haven't filled up my car since March 20, and I'm still more than halfway full. (It's April 28.) I wonder if I even know how to drive anymore.
- I used to think it was funny when the teacher for the 2-year-olds told me he talked all the time. I realize now that she isn’t lying or using “all the time” just as a figure of speech. He really does talk. All. The. Time.
- Weather apps are really a load of junk. Or at least, half the time.
- Even though I miss my parents like crazy, my dad's comments on Facebook always make me roll my eyes. Or at least half the time.
- I really have a lot of gray hair.
- I don't miss my blazers and high heels at all. On the other hand, a little mascara and lip gloss often cheer me up.
- The group Without a helmet There’s a song called “The Day Is Brand-New.” The chorus goes: “I promise, I promise that the day ahead is brand-new.” It’s become our national anthem. No matter what kind of day we had the day before, we start fresh. The past is the past; we look ahead.
- A poke bowl is basically just a big salad presented in a different way. With an exotic name and some Sriracha.
- I'll admit that at first, I wanted to post photos of homemade bread on Instagram, too. But in the end, I just love having good homemade bread every morning.
- I’m grateful for cucumbers and cherry tomatoes, which really help ease my guilt about getting enough fruits and vegetables into my children’s diets. Marilou was absolutely right: “The cucumber is the little black dress of vegetables!”
- I love my kids. I really do. They’re funny, kind, considerate of one another, creative, loving, and honestly adorable and cute. But every day, they end up getting on my nerves. Not for long—just for 5 to 10 minutes. I’ve decided to accept it and deal with it. Maybe that way, it’ll happen less often or last less long. Not really...
- In the end, Halloween on November 1st really, really wasn't a "big deal"...
- I don't know why, but ever since the lockdown began, I've been making the huge mistake of reading the comments. Worse yet, I'm actually replying to them! I really need to stop doing that… What a waste of time! What a blow to my faith in humanity! I have too much time on my hands; I need to find a new hobby. Knitting? Embroidery? Watercolor painting? Please help me!
- Collectively, the economy needs to get back on track. Individually, we need human contact and relationships. Social connections and emotional well-being are key ingredients for good mental health. We can’t form relationships right now, but we can get the economy back on track. Relationships can wait, according to Legault.
Except that mental health is essential for individuals to function properly as a group. “So,” what do we do? Do we shut off our hearts and go to work two meters apart? “Alone together,” as Daniel Bélanger said.
We’re reviving the economy with mindless, robotic tasks, with a knot in our stomachs and the urge to drop everything and go hug our family and friends. But no, we’re not allowed to do that! We’re reviving the economy with prescriptions for antidepressants.
Awesome!
- In a single day, I go through a whole range of emotions—joy, sadness, anger. And we start all over again, day after day… But I think you’ve already noticed that.
In short, after a month of lockdown, we’ve managed to strike a balance between current events and our family life—between the joys and sorrows, the fears and the anger. We’re trying to make sense of all this madness and to find some rationality and understanding in the decisions that have been made.
In short, after a month of lockdown, we're moving forward, taking steps back, running, and dancing.
Anyway, we're alive.