Dr. Tanya says that, “Life as we knew it changed a great deal with the pandemic. We humans, being an adaptable species, changed with it. Certain behaviours were reinforced while others were lost.” With that in mind, she has asked us, in this week’s 5 Things, to enumerate some of the things we no longer do or do less frequently.
- I no loner shower daily. Every other day will do. And I used to trim my beard and mustache weekly. But now I probably only do that monthly.
- I no longer eat out at restaurants or shop at stores, other than occasional trips to the grocery store or drug store. Instead I leverage meal delivery services like DoorDash, grocery delivery services, and, of course, Amazon.
- I don’t drive my car as much. Other than two or three trips a week (30 miles round trip) to see my grandkids, I rarely get in the car. No going out for a long drive or heading into town to a restaurant or to a movie or go to the ocean.
- I don’t get dressed up. I’m retired and don’t have to dress for work. And unless I’m going out somewhere, which is rare, I usually end up all day wearing a t-shirt, sweatpants, and slippers. If it’s a cool day, I may put on a sweatshirt over my t-shirt. I do put on jeans and sneakers when I go to my son’s place to see my grandkids.
- I rarely interact face-to-face with other people, including my neighbors, as most, like us, stay inside their own homes.
This, That, and the Other 
You must be saving a ton on fuel bills
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I have an electric car, so I don’t have to fill it up at a gas station, but I may be saving on whatever the cost is when I recharge it at home.
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Oh yes, I remember now. I think that not going out not only makes us safer but also is economical.
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I’m with you on most of yours except the shopping and eating out. We don’t have a kitchen yet so meals have been tricky.
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People skills have been affected for most people. It’s one of the worst things about the pandemic.
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Yes. Our isolation has changed almost all of us.
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Absolutely!
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I no longer use pandemic movies as a form of escapism.
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Too close to home, huh?
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Exactly.
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This was a comforting read – I’ve realised my habits have changed, and in fact, my whole life has as chronicled in posts over the last year! Glad you’ve found room to improve life 🙂 keep rocking
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Sounds like our life. Except we drink malteds while watching old movies. Mm MM! Hey, after some serious chastisement, they PUT THE SEARCH BOX BACK! Now THAT is a victory. There are so few in this life.
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The car spends wau more time in the driveway than anywhere else. Yet the insurance is still crazy high.
The majority of your list lines up perfectly with my life right now.
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Its cool we have so many delivery services, otherwise we’d really be screwed!
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I think I only have one thing, or two. I haven’t been consistent about this; aspirationally, I don’t shake hands with strangers or new acquaintances. Solid: I wear a mask while at the hairdresser (while sitting there having my hair trimmed — while they don’t require it for entering).
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Begrudgingly, court is by signing in rather that showing up. It’s terrible.
4) I haven’t gone for a dental hygiene appointment for two years. This has to change.
5) There’s no cake counter at Whole Foods,
but I was able to get some tiramisu nevertheless;
on my birthday, while we weren’t able to eat inside,
we were able to carry out our Indian food orders.
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I honestly can’t recall the last time I shook someone’s hand. Just an occasional first bump.
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We have already changed a lot… what will the new “normal” be in another year or two?
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I can’t even imagine.
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