What we didn’t do last summer – because we were caged in quarantine – we’re not doing this summer because people have busily over-scheduled their lives. It’s too eerily, ironically similar for words… the unintended consequences of being sprung and free-range.
“We should do something this summer!” we’ve uttered throughout the spring. Social occasions had to be deferred because
- people had returned to work, no longer able to structure their lives as they desired when they worked from home. A single Zoom meeting once a day used to suffice as a co-worker interface.
- families were bound to the kids’ school attendance in real classrooms in real buildings with only recess and lunch for play breaks.
- some people even caught Covid, despite being double-vaxxed-and-boosted…
“We should do something this summer!” Filled with promise and good intentions, we looked forward to the in-the-flesh interface during the unstructured leisure time of summer. Eating out again and laughing aloud!
However, the first day of summer occurred a month ago and we’ve yet to be able to socialize with friends. While it wasn’t a glib and phony desire, we’ve found that our schedules haven’t aligned with those we’d enjoy seeing again. No way to offload the stressful years of quarantine, the fears, exhaustion, and aggravations by laughing aloud with others. Trying to put something on the calendar is about as easy as teaching a giraffe to drive!
The lazy days of summer seem to have dissipated, the stuff of books and urban/suburban legend. The summer of myth has turned into the most densely packed season of the decade, with concerts and other venues vying for our attention – even churches, who wish to save your soul and garner your cash in the collection plate once more. Then, there’s the siren call of the beach –
It’s not personal. There’s pent-up demand for weddings. vacations and getaways, and summer camps for kids. Doctor appointments and financial advisor appointments in the dippety-doings of the stock market and hunting for desired grocery items when the shelves are bare take precedence.
“We should do something this summer!” Call me maybe…
Sorry nothing fun this summer. We aren’t going anywhere either but we are spending time with friends. (We don’t travel much during the summer – way too hot and humid to do anything outside.)
Hi Alex – since movie theaters are air-conditioned, we’ve found ourselves in a few matinees… loved the drama and energy of the Elvis movie! You, too?
Sorry you’re not having fun this summer. I had to reschedule a planned trip to see family this summer because airports are too crowded and airline tickets are too expensive. But I am seeing my daughter and friends more and doing a little bit more fun things in general. It feels good.
Since I wrote the post, we’ve made initiatives. A movie date with friends and dinner date with others… we’re on a roll! I guess writing the rant propelled me forward…