Uh Oh! I hope I’m not typical of how we are all doing during our “stay home, stay safe” life. Because I’m fine. The longer this goes on, the less anxious I am to get back to what qualified as normal before Covie-19 shut down our economy and our social lives.

Business owners and bureaucrats are thinking about how to reset the economy once we’re all able to be out in public again. I’m thinking about how I could be a recluse and not miss all of that social stuff and consumer stuff. This is not the attitude that will get the world back on track. 

It’s possible that I will crave contact once again; it’s possible I will crave shopping once again; it’s possible I will care about causes once again. But, then again, it’s starting to seem possible that I just won’t. Here’s what’s unique about this quarantine experience for me: It’s lifted all commitments and not a small amount of guilt from my shoulders, and that feels really, really good!

No commitments, no guilt. When you consider that I’ve been quite selective in committing to anything since I retired, how much lighter could my load be? The answer is, just enough. The next question is, will I come to miss it? We shall see.

Waking up each morning knowing that there is NOTHING on my calendar is unique. Even if we’re on vacation, we usually have plans of some sort. Is this just human nature? I’m visualizing hunter-gatherers in late evening contemplating what they will do tomorrow to find food or thinking of how they will work with hides for clothing. Throughout human history, we’ve always had to plan for food and shelter and clothing.

Right now, many people whose lives have been upended by Covid-19 are frantically trying to figure out food and shelter options. My food and shelter options are settled for now. I’m in a retirement home which delivers menu options to my door and delivers my selections to my door. Fortunate indeed. But why, with this good fortune, isn’t my head filling up with ideas for creative activity, or service to others, or self-improvement strategies? Truly, I can’t tell you why empty space on my calendar feels so good right now.

There is actually one thing I’ll act on when we can go out again. The election. I remain committed to helping boot Mr. Trump out of the White House and replacing him with Joe Biden (may he stay healthy, please). All else? Maybe, maybe not.

How are you faring?