- I pay attention to how much toilet paper I use and how many times I have to go during the day.
- I check my hold list at the library as often as I check my email.
- I have paid for nothing but rent, insurance, and food since social distancing began. Over 60% of my necessities must be paid for out of savings I’m lucky enough to have at the moment.
- I don’t count on refunds for anything (including the one airline ticket I bought for this year). I see money as in my pocket or non-existent. I cannot count on anything coming in or back.
- I only plan for tomorrow not next week or beyond. As a writer, this is hard, since I am used to endless waiting and extended planning. Now I don’t trust that rejections will ever even appear.
- I research one odd topic every day to have something to discuss with friends and family other than the pandemic.
- My birthday is next month and for the first time in my life, I have no wish list. Things in my life are now either necessary or unnecessary. I don’t let myself “want” things anymore.
- I am normal for the first time because everyone around me now also suffers from anxiety.
- Despite my anxiety, I now use the phone and facetime, etc almost daily.
- I no longer believe in political ignorance. Ignorance is due to a lack of knowledge or information. There’s too much information in the world right now. You either recognize the system and its leadership are broken or you’re just sticking your head in the sand. There is no ignorance only stupidity.