We are creatures of habit. I am definitely one who likes to have a rhythm and a routine, with a clear order to the way my world is structured. And even if the order is less than ideal (aka, months and months of isolation due to a pandemic), I will always find away to work within a certain set of parameters. But, I admit I’m less adept at the shift change…
At long last, Mr. Dressed and I found ourselves both fully vaccinated. After 14 months of mostly staying within the confines of our house, save for grocery pickups and a few sparse trips to the lab to make sure the expensive equipment was still giving me their money’s worth, suddenly the door’s been creaking open to the great outdoors and we have been (slowly) rejoining the world again. And as we’ve emerged, blinking into the sun, I’ve realized that this is going to take some getting used to.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’ve been finding it surprisingly challenging to reintegrate into society. I feel a little out of practice being a normal level of social. Small talk trips me up. Standing next to people inside a 6ft radius takes a mental pep talk. I was once one of life’s gregarious people…but this may take a little bit of re-calibration…
This past weekend, we hopped in the car and headed to one of our favorite spots – Smoke on the Water. They have outdoor dining with water views, live music, and microbrews on tap (and because it was the first time I’d been out of the house in awhile…I admit I kind of went for it and unapologetically styled myself in roses and glitter and exuberance). As the sun started to give up her fight and dip towards the horizon, I swore I could hear the echo of soirees unattended. Of milestones celebrated from a computer screen. As if life paused, and yet moved persistently forward all the same.
And even though I jumped a bit when someone entered the 6-foot perimeter and felt very odd not to have a mask permanently affixed to my face, it was tantalizingly sweet to be surrounded by the buzz of conversations I couldn’t hear and feel the pulse of a community again. We knew no one around us – but in a weird way I felt like we have all been going through something together. We are kindred spirits for the simple fact that we all made it to that moment together.
So, despite the fact that I’m training myself on how to ride the social bike in this new world, I must admit I am finding so much joy in getting to rediscover the things I love. Slowly claiming back the things that I will never again take for granted. Getting frocked up for an afternoon on the shore. Drinking beer on tap. Casually chatting with a cashier. Getting to give my newest grad student a lab tour and actually see his excitement. I almost forgot what that was like.
So, whether you’ve jumped back into the world with gusto, head first, or are easing your way in one inch at a time, you have to do what feels right for you. I admit we’re taking it one day at a time – deciding on each new-old opportunity as it comes, feeling it out, and reminding ourselves that, while we had to rush out of the world without warning, there is no rule that says you have to rush back.
Anyone else having a newly discovered social anxiety??
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Top: Unique Vintage
Skirt: Created and Collected, made from a Retrospec’d dress (similar here, here, & here)
Beret: embellished by Girl in a Whirl
Necklace: Stranded Treasures
Handbag: Mary Frances
Socks: Nela Bee
Shoes: Lola Ramona
Lip Color: Dior Rouge 634
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