We need to talk about the myth of the pandemic lifestyle.
Last year, I somehow got the impression that most people, with the exception of essential workers, were baking bread, bingeing shows, organizing closets, and lounging around.
The sound: quiet. The setting: safe. The vibe: peaceful. Just them and their house, spending some long-neglected quality time together.
I have fantasized about that lifestyle for many years. I long for the freedom to choose how I’ll spend each day, according to my highly fluctuating capabilities and drive, in the safety and beauty of my own home.
It’s strange to feel that half the world has been granted your biggest wish, and you have not.
But it’s a myth, or at least highly unlikely. Significant savings are needed to take extended time off work without financial stress. Realistically, I doubt that the majority of people who stopped working were in a position to relax and enjoy it.
When bitterness arises, it helps to remember that I have my job, and I have my health. I also want to remember that the thing I crave is more rare than the Internet makes it seem.