Letter to my pre-pandemic self – Vol 4

This week’s letter to my pre-pandemic self is written by Karen. I met Karen in high school. She was one of the sweetest girls. She still is. Karen is one of the friends in the “pandemic support group” on Messenger. Our chats have allowed me to reconnect and get to know this gem of a woman.

Dear Karen,

Things are about to change – a lot. It may seem subtle at first, but as the months and months go by, it becomes more apparent just how profound and lasting these changes are. In fact they’re losses, of all types.

It’s not all doom, though. There’s lots of time for reflection, re-evaluation and very cautious optimism.  Here are some things I know you’re going to want to pay attention to….right now. Not tomorrow, not later – right now!

On the home front

• Rent or buy a cottage – somewhere you can go to get away from “it all”

• Tidy up your work office – take those Tupperware containers and snacks home

• To that end, think about setting up a home office – and not at the dining room table

• Don’t make any travel plans – you’re going to have to lower any vacation expectations  (see above cottage recommendation!)

• Don’t sink any money into cars – you aren’t going to need them very much (gas will be cheap though!)..you should probably dig out your bike

• Stock up on cleaning products especially Lysol wipes and things like toilet paper (don’t ask, just do it, but don’t hoard!)

• Start expanding your cooking repertoire (no really, trust me!)

• Don’t make any new investments in anything..unless it’s with Amazon  on Shopify

Self-care

• GET YOUR HAIR DONE ASAP 

• Don’t put off going to any appointments- dentist, doctor, massage, manicure, hair…

• Buy some weights especially the ones that are more than 10 pounds, and get other home workout stuff too

• Don’t buy any more dress/work clothes or shoes …or makeup

Socialize!

• Go out! Eat in restaurants,  go shopping in real stores, see movies in a theatre, go see live music or theatre, go to a gallery, take in a Red Blacks or Sens game

• Buy an outdoor patio heater ASAP

• Visit friends and relatives now! Have a dinner party…celebrate any and all occasions with your favourite people..and then do it again. You’re really going to miss that.