Getting Back to Normal-ish? So Many Feelings.

Here in New York City we’re enjoying a verdant and vibrant Spring season – leaves in all tints of green, magnolias, cherry blossoms, forsythias, daffodils, tulips, bluebells and hostas are all poking out of the soil. A reminder of rebirth and renewal in this season is all around us—as is a look, hopefully, into a brighter road ahead. But then a sunny day with a gentle breeze is followed by one that’s rainy and cool. 

It’s the perfect parallel to our collective lives these days. We’ve got optimism that comes from the vaccine being widely available, but concern that we’ll ease up on safety protocols too soon. We’re hearing that some organizations are reopening their offices in short order, while others won’t open their doors until sometime in 2022. It’s the daily battle between making healthy food choices versus choosing comfort food. It’s the yin and yang of the season with different facets pulling in different directions. And, to be honest, it’s hard to stay grounded when we’re torn this way. 

A few weeks ago I was on a Zoom (what else?!) and the check-in question raised was: how are we feeling at the moment? I couldn’t come up with a word that really captured my mental state, so I sheepishly offered “Blah.” It’s certainly vague in meaning, but I think the sound of the word captured the feeling! When an article recently landed in my email, I finally saw the word I’d been searching for: languishing. I’m not sure I feel better or not now that there’s a better description of my state—but now I have reassurance that I’m far from alone.

I think it’s important that we all, in our personal and professional lives, choose to focus on the positive of what we’re moving towards in 2021: rekindling friendships, rebooting office interactions, and returning to a workplace even though it may feel and look different. At the foundation we just cooked up (pun intended) a fun staff gathering with a virtual pizza-making class, making the dough one evening and baking and eating the next. It was refreshing (and delicious!) and has us revved up to be doing similar things in person in the not-too-distant future.

So, I’m languishing—and I’m hopeful. I’m pandemic-fatigued—and I’m energized about what’s ahead. A colleague with young kids recently shared the wisdom of PBS Kids star Daniel Tiger. “Sometimes you feel two feelings at the same time,” Daniel sings, “and that’s okay.” Indeed it is okay—and we’ll all be okay, too.