The aftermath of it all and how i'm feeling

This makes me think about how this pandemic has really changed the way we see the world, doesn’t it? It’s wild to reflect on how life was before everything hit. I mean, I remember the days when we could just gather with friends, travel without a second thought, and not feel that gnawing anxiety about health and safety.

Now, here I am, navigating this post-pandemic landscape, and I can’t shake off this feeling that lingers, a kind of post-traumatic stress I didn’t expect to deal with. There are times I find myself feeling on edge, almost hyper-aware of my surroundings, or worrying about the smallest things. It’s like my brain has been rewired to expect the worst. Maybe others feel this way too?

Sometimes I catch myself reminiscing about those simpler days, and then, just like that, I’m hit with a wave of sadness. It’s strange—there’s this mix of relief and grief. Relief that we’re getting back to some normalcy, but grief for what has shifted in our lives and relationships. The isolation we all faced, the loss—it’s hard not to feel the weight of that every now and then.

Have you all noticed how your relationships have changed, too? I find myself reaching out more, but sometimes it feels awkward. It’s like we’re all trying to reconnect but don’t quite know how. I wonder if that’s a common feeling or if it’s just me feeling a bit lost.

And then there’s the uncertainty. The fear that maybe this could happen again, that we might have to go through something similar. It’s unsettling and keeps me up at night sometimes. I really want to hear how others are managing these feelings. What has helped you in this strange aftermath? Are there any practices you’ve found grounding or helpful?

I think it’s essential we keep talking about this, sharing our experiences. It reminds us we’re not alone in this, you know? I’m curious to hear your thoughts.