A Valentine to Remember: How to Give Love During Pandemic
Whether you're in a relationship or not, it's important to celebrate Valentine's Day. The pandemic is far from over, so we need love more than ever. You've been whining about quarantine fatigue since the last days of fall, a sign that you need to go places. Unfortunately, this winter season, probably the darkest in decades, had come to town. And the new coronavirus variant as well. If you don't have any (Valentine's Day) plan, then it's time to make a mental note.
You wonder if it's possible to look for a new love and if any blind date app is similar to an app that should have helped you find an ideal roommate. Your mother wasn't surprised that you weren't able to find a roomier last summer, as she thought that you might be snotty, if not weird. You cited Edgar Scissorhands, supposedly the offspring of Edward Scissorhands. Your mother missed the Cadillac Super Bowl commercial. (And your old buddy, a film junkie, insisted that there won't be any remake of this Tim Burton classic.) A (Zoom) the first date would relieve the pressure of making a good impression, but there are expectations. (You're hoping for someone funny and interesting. You don't want to delve deep, as you dread those awkward silences. And you want to introduce your date to your friends.) You're wary of complications that may arise during that first date, and how you wish that the conversation would be similar with yours and your buddies.
You almost forgot "WandaVision", which made your friends excited during your recent chat. One of them bet that Mephisto would be the new villain in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) while the other was surprised at the appearance of Pietro, Wanda's twin brother (a.k.a. Quicksilver). Will he be that villain? The answers might be revealed in "Loki", which they couldn't wait for. They didn't notice your seeming lack of interest in the subject. (And you were glad that no one noticed it.) You're not complaining about the lack of support from your family, but you need a new company, if not a new experience. It may be a case of restlessness, so you must do something about it.
Your Personal Lockdown Could be Much Longer: 5 Ways to Show How You Care
Be a volunteer. Your coursemates didn't like how the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine turned out. College students may find themselves on the back of the line, and you disapprove of some folks traveling to other towns to "cut the line". Members of the Mesa Organization decided to make it orderly, and it won't be an easy task; the winter season seems far from over. If you're from the Northeast state, you don't want another snowstorm. You can ask for the contact details of these thoughtful adults. Keep in mind that teenagers are susceptible to the new variant, so plan this one. In other words, you don't have to go out every day (or every other day). It might be enough to get information from Mesa (or any similar group) and tell your family and friends about it. You can include your neighbors, as long as they are part of your bubble.
Soak it up. When was the last time that you enjoyed a hot bath? If not, you must ask yourself why you haven't filled the bathtub with hot water and soak in it for an hour or less. This is the perfect time to do it. There have been many distractions in your home and reading isn't good enough. Go ahead, get wet. Close your eyes (and forget everything). Self love is a priority.
Do you have connection issues? You're tired of hearing your course mates talk about diction, and how it would help them swap numbers with their (first) date. One of them noticed your subtle yawn, a sign that you were thinking of other things. It won't be inappropriate subjects, yet you didn't understand your department's refusal to include E.L. James's novels in the syllabus. You haven't told them about that other student you met last fall, and that the topic conversation was anything but essay writing. (You ignored a bystander who heckled you while you were having a photo shoot in front of her. You wore only a T-shirt in the lovely November weather.) Perhaps your course mates should talk about nut allergy instead of the basics of the English language. And how to manage your technology. You decided to debrief them about that mystery student later.
What did you talk about? The pandemic is not the right time to attempt an emotional blackmail on your father (while planning a holiday next winter). You also don't want to make a long-distance call to your sibling (and talk about the flouting of safety protocol on the other side of the Atlantic). And your best friend won't like you asking questions about that gap between his front teeth. You're not in the mood to discuss bad experiences in assignment writing, so you're thinking of something else. You recalled your pen-friend from Valladolid, Spain, of her dreamy expectations when it comes to love. Has she met her Prince Charming? Her emails didn't indicate that she was rescued from a loveless life, as you talk about a holiday in Ibiza. And singing together. Your mother smiled at you, but you assured her that you only followed her on Instagram (and vice versa). Slow but sure? Maybe.
The best thing about... your family? It won't take a few seconds to answer this one, but a hug would do. This is one way of showing your gratitude, but familiarity can get under your skin. It could make you irritable, if not show your aloofness. Your parents might misinterpret it, but you're going with the flow. You might be missing your course mate, such that you forgot your conversation on the merits of having a BA degree, and how you laughed at your (wrong) answers to some questions under General Science. Your parents are wary of you arranging a meeting with your college buddies. (And you're about to throw a fit a couple of times.) You will get through the pandemic. Have you talked about your struggles with them? This (cold) season should be a great time to do it (over a cup of hot chocolate). And you can let your pet dog jump onto the sofa (and snuggle with you).
How Did Your Day End?
Did one of your friends need your support? Are you hoping for that mystery student to bump into each other on top of a mountain? Are you tempted to ask your parents to dine in a restaurant (and stay out until curfew)? These questions, as well as others (that you won't mention here), would make you fuzzy this week, if not turn your world upside down. No need to worry about it. This happened more than once (since the pandemic began), and it could be a sign that you need support. You can hug your pet (dog), if not message your course mates and talk about your whereabouts.
