There should be a term for people who never really returned from the pandemic's social isolation
There should be a term for people who never really returned from the pandemic's social isolation
People who haven't really resumed socializing at levels they used to, people who lost the capacity to regulate during interpersonal interactions, people who lost trust in others... I encounter lots of partial returners out there
We had a name before the pandemic... It's "introvert."
I'm more referring to people who aren't so much choosing to isolate. Not a preference, but a loss of the capacity or opportunities to socialize
Small rant incoming:
I'm actually still stuck inside more than in the Pandemic. Essential worker so I still went outside daily until i never got my energy back after having covid for the 5th? time.
About 3 years of doctors not really knowing how to treat it and encouraging me to keep trying what i could each day, which led to me basically destroying my body, until i got one of my countries leading experts who immediately told me to take bed rest the second i feel tired.
Since my immune system is basically gone i got a bunch of other illnesses some of which will probably never go away since the meds only alleviate the symptoms.
Upside is that I've been trialing a bunch of expirimental treatments for the specialised clinic that is opening soon, some of which had small but immediate effects. So at least those that will get diagnosed in the future don't need to wait as long hopefully.
I'm glad to hear you live in a country where you can get more specialized support! I hope the new treatments pan out
I'll be honest, the lockdowns were awesome for me. "Now you bitches get to see how I live."
And the mad increase of online ordering, no contact pickup, and how people aren't crawling up your ass in line at the grocery store anymore? I could not have hoped for better.
Gods do I miss social distance lines
I miss having free time without the impending pressure to do things.
I'm health wise OK but my wife isn't for the rest of her life so I have to take precautions everywhere. I don't mind because I really don't like dealing with people anyway.
I do grocery pickup and go inside the store maybe four or five times a year now.
I haven't been to the inside of a restaurant in over three years, we use patios and sidewalk tables outdoors.
I specifically only ever use gas stations where you pay at the pump.
I haven't been to a mall or indoor space with people in years now.
I order everything else to my door.
I really don't miss dealing with people and now find it completely weird and disorienting to deal with people in public now.
now find it completely weird and disorienting to deal with people in public now.
This is what I've been hearing (and experienced). And that it's not a preference, it's more that the nervous system has struggled to recalibrate; or there was not enough opportunity for it to do so and that has led to a feedback loop
Yeah it was certainly a net positive for some. Of course this post isn't a criticism of those that enjoyed it, or were unaffected by it. But there is a sort of lost generation group, so to speak, too. That includes younger people who feel maladroit or disconnected in a way that they tie to that period. People who already struggled to socialize and the period made it worse enough that they never recovered
Introverts? Really I had a pretty good time
I think a lot of people were waiting to see the results of the election. And COVID is still very real - immunocompromised people (e.g. elderly) will need to start taking vaccines twice rather than once per year due to recent mutations (except... hrm, I dunno if RFK will "allow* such, but at least that was the most recent guidance), plus everyone could get long COVID every time they get it despite the vaccine.
The pandemic changed our world, and it's nowhere close to being over.
Also, inflation, so less disposable income to "go out" with.
I call them "my people."
I call us Happy! thank god for home office
During the pandemic I moved to the country, stopped using social media, and got a remote working job. I think the people who used to know me assume I'm dead.
Yeah lockdown was living my best life. At least I managed to get a fully remote job with a small company several states away.
Lockdown was a blast! I was paid to do what I always wanted; stay home and do whatever I felt like and not worry about other people.
Now that it's over, I haven't been able to keep a steady job. I've lost all the support I built up for myself in social situations.
I’m not placing trust in anyone who sold us out to corporations and fascists a second time
Maybe if we smushed the two together and made up a word? Like hikicovidomori
My socializing during the pandemic was more or less the same as before or after the pandemic. I am very sensitive to sound, a introvert, a huge nerd and don't care for most of the topics "normal" people talk about like sport. I have no reason to go outside, I don't like to be at places with many people and I don't any knowledge in topic that can be used for smalltalk.
Due to this the biggest part of my social bubble is located all over the world and we communicate purely online. It was called lockdown but for me it was just a normal Tuesday.
I am quite similar and it turns out I'm on the autistic spectrum. I was excited to discover this as it explained sooo much about myself. Just my 2 cents
Oh hey it's me
Yeah. That's me. Or anyone I know, really. Sure cities are back to pre-pandemic chaos, but those are other people.
I choose to work from the office on most days. I use public transit. I go to the gym. I'm not locked in, but ...
- after-work drinks
- meetups
- catch up with a friend at the pub
- date night
- clubs
- partys
That's a distant past. And i don't miss it, really.
Ok, I do miss socializing, the good parts: Crack some jokes, have some small-talk, feel part oof a group of friends.
But i don't miss it enough to endure that bad parts: Forcing oneselves into conversations with strangers, "networking", drinking a beer alone in a corner of some event, going out to bar where over your overpriced drink you'll accept that you'd rather be in your living room. Bars and night clubs are a weird concept (unless you are in your twenties and really enjoy the scene): You realistically only talk the person you came with, but they can't hear what your are saying since it's loud and crowded. There may be music, but unless you came to dance, you probably have a Spotify play list you'll enjoy more. In better quality.
In my particular case, it is called "working parent"
I fucking loved it. 😁
Lemmites
Ouch. Yeah
Extraintroverts?
Overintroverts?
Me. I'm people.
How about: isolastionists?
Petroverts?
Where do you encounter these people that haven't returned from isolation?
You don't. That's the point.
Online? Zoom meetings?
Not really isolating is on zoom. Just preferring to be where they cannot smell you. I presume.
Pandainfuls
We do. It's called being Smart.