COVID and Long COVID, yes.... there's been loneliness.
For our lives here in Vermont, it's been four years of largely being alone. From mandated isolation to concerns over becoming re-infected, we've felt it. Sometimes it's been more painful than at other times. But, in that we choose to live in a very rural area, we recognize that we are as much responsible for our isolation as are the conditions of society and the risks posed by new COVID, RSV or other viruses.
I do see some hopeful changes happening in the world around us. I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe it's the collective disdain for much of social media, the collective experiences of isolation, the yearning for community. I find myself meeting or hearing about people who seem like pioneers seeking new ways to establish mutually beneficial and supportive relationships. I think that here at Substack, that we may be some of those pioneers.
It's always good to hear from you. First of all, yes on Substack I see people who are inspired by the writing they find here and the sharing of the work of other writers and the building of writer and reader communities which is nice.
Yes, we are responsible for our choices. I'm in a rural area as well, but I didn't come here to isolate myself. I've heard that some people can feel lonely in a room full of people. I suppose I'm somewhat ahead of the covid and social media "loneliness" curve because I moved away from my family and friends to a more rural area before Covid hit and because I've been living with post- viral problems that started WAY before Covid educated people about what that is.
Living comes with risks. Infectious agents are just one of the many things that could happen to us on a daily basis. My son calls this doing risk analysis and the assumption of risk. I have to keep my mind balanced between germ theories and terrain theories so as not to give the germs the upper hand. I really believe most "germs" are opportunistic pathogens that look for breaks in our defense systems. I will admit that I think more than twice about giving hugs or going into crowded places than I probably should now and have not been out much in the past 6 months, but learning how to do solitude has been sweet. To be honest with you, sometimes being around people can be a bit exasperating at times, but I do miss it. My last re-infection was pretty epic in the suck department, but so many good things have also come of it. It's really bizarre.
I'm glad to be walking down this pioneering road with you!
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks so much for supporting my Substack. Wow!
COVID and Long COVID, yes.... there's been loneliness.
For our lives here in Vermont, it's been four years of largely being alone. From mandated isolation to concerns over becoming re-infected, we've felt it. Sometimes it's been more painful than at other times. But, in that we choose to live in a very rural area, we recognize that we are as much responsible for our isolation as are the conditions of society and the risks posed by new COVID, RSV or other viruses.
I do see some hopeful changes happening in the world around us. I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe it's the collective disdain for much of social media, the collective experiences of isolation, the yearning for community. I find myself meeting or hearing about people who seem like pioneers seeking new ways to establish mutually beneficial and supportive relationships. I think that here at Substack, that we may be some of those pioneers.
Hi Mardi!
It's always good to hear from you. First of all, yes on Substack I see people who are inspired by the writing they find here and the sharing of the work of other writers and the building of writer and reader communities which is nice.
Yes, we are responsible for our choices. I'm in a rural area as well, but I didn't come here to isolate myself. I've heard that some people can feel lonely in a room full of people. I suppose I'm somewhat ahead of the covid and social media "loneliness" curve because I moved away from my family and friends to a more rural area before Covid hit and because I've been living with post- viral problems that started WAY before Covid educated people about what that is.
Living comes with risks. Infectious agents are just one of the many things that could happen to us on a daily basis. My son calls this doing risk analysis and the assumption of risk. I have to keep my mind balanced between germ theories and terrain theories so as not to give the germs the upper hand. I really believe most "germs" are opportunistic pathogens that look for breaks in our defense systems. I will admit that I think more than twice about giving hugs or going into crowded places than I probably should now and have not been out much in the past 6 months, but learning how to do solitude has been sweet. To be honest with you, sometimes being around people can be a bit exasperating at times, but I do miss it. My last re-infection was pretty epic in the suck department, but so many good things have also come of it. It's really bizarre.
I'm glad to be walking down this pioneering road with you!