The reintegration situation

We’re about to enter year three of the pandemic and I optimistically yet carefully feel that we’ve rounded a bend that sees the balance of 2022 bathed in positivity.
Many of us who chose to get vaccinated have done so at least twice, with third doses actively being administered.

February has seen the return of indoor dining with capacity limits, along with other indoor activities being allowed. The coming weeks, if case counts diminish, will see the further reduction of restrictions and some sort of “new normal” will be upon us.

I imagine many of us will welcome this change and embrace a world where we’re able to do many, if not all, of the activities we used to do.

The sharp shift to a prolonged virtual world, the isolation, the diminished human interactions and immense screen time has been taxing on many of us, myself included.
Some have made the adjustment with ease and others have struggled.
We’re on the cusp of being able to socialize freely again without capacity limits and on the whole, it’s terrific news.
However, it won’t be as easy as returning to the “before time.”
There’ll be various stages of relearning curves in socializing after two years of limitations.

“If you take anything away from this article, let it be that everyone is wired differently and their reintegration choices should be respected.”

Whether it’s eye contact, personal space, awkward silences, hesitant handshakes or the nervousness of being in public again, not everyone will be able to make a seamless and prompt adjustment.
In fact, some of us may simply not want to delve straight into a world without restrictions, at least not right away.
If you take anything away from this article, let it be that everyone is wired differently and their reintegration choices should be respected.

I can only speak for myself when I say that up until two years ago, I happily balanced between enjoying being with family, friends, bandmates, colleagues, clients, etc., and staying home, going for solo drives and needing alone time.
If there’s a label to be had, it’d be an extroverted introvert. 

“I’m a happy tortoise in the race. I value doing things right over rushed and knowing myself for 44 years, the only thing I’ll now rush into is a plate of extra hot chicken wings and chocolate milk.”

With changes only a few weeks away, I often think about where I fit in and how my behaviour will adjust.
Yes, I’m relieved that we will (hopefully) soon be able to socialize sans restrictions but I’m not sure everyone wants to, or even remembers how to.
Living alone through nearly the entire pandemic has taught me to be succinctly self-sufficient and overtly independent. I used to need to be around people and after two years, that need has been changed to a want. Whether that's healthy and “normal” has yet to be seen in my case.
I dismissed the term “reintegration anxiety” the first handful of times I read it but now that it’s upon us, it deserves some attention.
I’ve changed my language around it and now address it as “the reintegration situation.”

Sure, some of us will want to make up for lost time and do “all the things" as the kids say and socialize as much as possible, travel often, eat in restaurants frequently and stand closer than six feet away from people.
A lot of people have missed out on experiences and opportunities over the last two years and want to (perhaps need to) immerse themselves in the outside world.

“It’s been a mentally draining two years for many of us. With change on the horizon, reintegrating into a socially active world looks different to everyone.”

Others will be apprehensive to hit the “reset” switch, myself included.
Yes, I miss seeing people but I’ve become so accustomed to being on my own that the transition will, quite intentionally, be unhurried.
I can’t turn my brain 180 degrees on anything, let alone relearning how to socialize as I did pre-pandemic.
I’m a happy tortoise in the race. I value doing things right over rushed and knowing myself for 44 years, the only thing I rush into is a plate of extra hot chicken wings and chocolate milk.
I’ll still actively travel albeit solo with a few group trips sprinkled in.
I’ll listen to live music in a smaller venue at first and spend time with friends in small numbers at first before advancing to larger groups.

I’m not doing this out of fear of COVID; I’m doing it to strategically ease myself back into an engaged society versus submerging myself in it without mentally processing it and checking in with myself at every step. The last thing I want is to overwhelm myself only because I can with little to no restrictions.

My plan is to start with two activities I enjoy doing per week and checking in with myself.
As my comfort level increases, so will the amount of socializing I do.
If there’s a moment of uncertainty or pause, I’m going to act accordingly because simply put, everyone is on their own timetable and should listen to themselves first.

The same goes for masks; please don’t judge anyone who wears a mask when mandates are lifted.

It’s been a mentally draining two years for many of us. With change on the horizon, reintegrating into a socially active world looks different to everyone.
Go at your own pace, do what’s right for you and be open to having conversations with others without diminishing their comfort levels.

If someone cancels plans with short notice based on comfort, be upset at the situation but not at the person.

I don’t have all the answers, strategies or predictions on the reintegration situation nor do I want or need to.
I only have my answers.
The same way only you have your answers.