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Single During Social Isolation
How are you coping?
Social isolation. Introverts love it. Extroverts fear it, and those in the middle are at a crossroads. For me, this uncertainty is surmounted by the fact that I am single and live alone and therefore easily forgotten.
Sometimes it’s good to be overlooked. I’m healthy, under 70 and not in the high-risk category for this deadly virus. I’m fortunate but I fear how all this extra me-time will help my already anxious psyche.
Being single at times is considered a luxury in this society. I often hear,
“You’re so lucky, you can go out every night,”
“You’re free,”
“I wish I was you,”
But in reality, I don’t know any friend that would give up the security of their family to in some magical Freaky Friday episode trade lives. Sure, I travel and take naps (I call them meditation) but at the end of the day, it’s just me, hustling endlessly to ensure that my introvert tendencies don’t take over and leave me to bask in seclusion. With the impending social isolation upon us, I‘m worried.
There is a saying, “solitude is fine, but you need someone to tell you solitude is fine.” Only soon enough who will be there to tell me? The activities I once partook in to keep me social are now frowned upon. No parties, book…