Daily Connector | The New Normal | Karen Mareco

I’ve been a WAH for over 30 years, so working from home is normal.  However, this doesn’t “feel” normal.  These are just some various scattered thoughts that might resonate with some of you.

My son who is currently living with me and I both feel the reality of being in a place of privilege.  Yes, we are frightened sometimes…what if he gets it and infects me (the bigger worry because of my age).  But we are in a safe home, we are both still working, we can get groceries and yes, even toilet paper was eventually found. 

There is worry about the future—I need to make a housing change, but everything feels delayed and even more scary in this climate. But I have resources I can use if needed, so even in this uncertain situation I have options. 

I find myself distancing not just physically but emotionally from some things.  It’s hard to listen to church services because I do not want to cry…  And sometimes even hard to communicate with my kids and grandkids because—again—it’s emotionally hard to do that on days when I feel more down.  It’s easier to hibernate/withdraw.  So it takes effort sometimes to make those connections and I’m really grateful when others reach out even in small ways, and I’m trying to push myself more to be the “reacher”.

So, I don’t have any great revelations and definitely no wisdom to offer.  And yet, I know that I am privileged in so many ways.  Even the ability to have faith in the future comes from a place of privilege. And we can struggle with that and still know that we are blessed.

These are some pictures that illustrate the New Normal for me:

THE NEW NECESSITIES

MY NEW WORK AT HOME PAL (And I’m privileged to have extra office space…)

GROCERIES IN THE TRUNK PLEASE!

GRANDKIDS—NO TOUCHING BUT SO GLAD TO SEE THEIR FACES!