Itâs definitely starting to affect me. I donât feel like Iâm locked in the house, I still go out, for photos, groceries, whisky, etc. But I find myself wandering glassy-eyed around the house, looking out one window after another. Circular routine. Expecting to see that UPS truck dropping something off that I didnât order. Birds fluttering around, getting ready for winter. Will skiing be any good this season? Après?
At least the birds have face-to-face contact. Zoom barely makes it for me. My posterior superior temporal sulcus is starving.
Pandemic fatigue
Creativity seems elusive lately. And Iâve been thinking about this lethargy a lot. Iâve come to the conclusion that I miss the face-to-face connection with my family and friends. Those high bandwidth body language and facial expression kind of relationships.
Recently I had a short conversation with a person I met at Yonge Dundas Square. He obviously had mental issues, but he could talk and listen, and so could I, which made for a pretty interesting moment.
Well, thatâs enough melancholy for today. Actually itâs not all that bad; I was just trying to make a point. And I invite you to add to this conversation by telling your ideas on coping with pandemic fatigue in the comments below.
[Click on any photo for the slideshow. Please leave comments at the bottom of the page]
November 30, 2020 at 10:24 pm
Nice shots. Some interesting âphoto muralsâ
Iâve been fortunate so far during this pandemic that I have lots of projects to keep me busy. And itâs been easy to be outside for us at our home since we have a large lot. But, we are definitely missing real contact with family and friends. We have a small circle in our bubble that we saw and during the warm weather it was also easy to see neighbours and friends outside. So, fatigue hasnât set in for me, yet…
But the winter is now upon us, the first major snowstorm coming tonight. I wonât be skiing nor curling this winter and with no where to go itâs going to be a long 4 months. Iâm taking up a new sport cross country skiing to give me some outdoor exercise and I do have snowshoes.
At least with news of vaccines, I can see light at the end of the tunnel, even though I donât think we will be back to a normal or new normal until the fall.
I just have to get through the next four months till spring and the refresh and renewal that brings. And after living the last 8 months in quasi lockdown, I can do that. Zoom calls arenât everything, but at least they are something.
December 1, 2020 at 12:18 am
I know you always have projects going on, John. And I’m sure the new kitchen will keep both of you busy for awhile. We’ll definitely do some zooms soom. Hey, that rhymes!
November 30, 2020 at 10:46 pm
Hi Len, at first I thought the witvh was you!? Part of my covid copeing management is going outside every day. I endevour to go for a long walk 8-10km. Sometimes its just walking through residental west end neighbourhoods. Other times its anywhere there are forests and water. High Park is a favourite! I find walking in the trees almost almost forget about covid.
December 1, 2020 at 12:19 am
I do a lot of walking Dave, as well as working out in my basement. It’s just the circular routine, and with the weather getting bad and no skiing yet…..
November 30, 2020 at 11:19 pm
Len,
My favorite activity is to cycle or walk 3ârd street in Mimico west through Sam Smith Park and as far as Rhododendron Park in Port Credit. The variety of lakefront, park land, residential, and commercial just takes my mind off Covid 19, and Donald Trump. I find it especially therapeutic when, on a windy day, I stop and hear the rhythm of the waves on Lake Ontario.
By the way, your photo 5 should be entered into the City of Toronto archives as a historic symbol of fall 2020.
Another set of interesting photos!
December 1, 2020 at 12:22 am
I know you walk a lot, Len, but this is a really long walk. I can see cycling that. Do you take the Go train back? I’m close enough the lake that I hear the waves often. Meditation.
November 30, 2020 at 11:42 pm
Hi Len. I agree with the others that getting outdoors is key to staying strong during this pandemic, especially now that the days are shorter. A good brisk walk. I usually like to have a destination or purpose, even if itâs to mail a letter or buy more coffee beans. Biking and birding were good in season, and soon it will be time to ski and snowshoe. In your case, you can have fun planning all the travel youâre going to do in your new RV. Staying in touch with friends is good too. Thanks for sharing your photo blogs!
December 1, 2020 at 12:25 am
Yes… the VAN… you wouldn’t believe the learning curve there. The water system, electrical system, waste system, etc, etc, etc. I’ve been really busy studying. I’ve even figured out how we’re going to manage the coffee. You know that I’m a coffee fiend!
December 1, 2020 at 3:36 pm
Have coffee, will travel!
December 1, 2020 at 7:33 pm
I am sorry to hear your STS has taken a pummeling. I’m sure there are lots of people stuck at the windows looking out who have probably forgotten the art of conversation.
When we’re all out of lockdown we’ll be like prisoners released!
Good to see that Alice Cooper is alive and well at Dundas Square and I must admit to being surprised that Canada has to buy its bridges in Holland, and that the GTA doesn’t have the skills to assemble it (did Canadians never get a Meccano set?).
I look forward to some sensory over load with you Len in the not to distant future
December 1, 2020 at 8:12 pm
Hey Peter, I’m sure that when we have the vaccine and there are close to zero cases, everyone will have sensory overload. It will be one great national party. We’ll probably be in the Roadtrek somewhere on the east coast. BTW, I’m thinking of calling her “Vanpirella”. But Mrs L. doesn’t like that name. đ talk soon…
December 1, 2020 at 8:38 pm
How about Vanroaming, Vanhalla, Vanfreedom, Vanexploring, Van Helsing (On Tour)
December 1, 2020 at 9:01 pm
Peter, those are Vantastic names!