I was catching up on a new-to-me TV show over the weekend, In Treatment. Each episode is basically just a therapy session, and the current season takes place in the midst of the pandemic. In one episode, the therapist (played by the incredible Uzo Aduba) is talking with her patient (Anthony Ramos! Incredible casting again.) about what he’s going to do after a big change in his life. She mentions that the pandemic has made a lot of people think about what they want their lives to look like after – that’s it’s made people re-think and re-visit their choices.

I know it’s just a TV show, but honestly, it made me stop and think. I’ve also been having some version of this conversation with my friends – talking about what the last year has taught us, and what changes we’ve come to realize we want to make in our lives. I’ve been thinking about it even more now, as things are starting to open up. I know that the pandemic isn’t over (especially internationally), but since being vaccinated I’ve been able to get back to some of my regular, outside-the-house activities. As things start to pick up again, I start to think more about what I want my resumed life to look like.

I know that everyone has been forced to grapple with some hard truths over this past year and a half, in some way for another. I know that personally, I had to take a look at some friendships after people had wildly different views on how to navigate the pandemic. And while I have no problem being friends with people who have different viewpoints, it hits a bit differently when your health and your life are actually at risk. It’s a challenge to figure out how to grapple with these emotions as we move forward – pandemic restrictions may be lessening, but that doesn’t mean that the feelings just go away.

The choices aren’t all emotional, either. It’s things like being able to work from home versus going into an office, about having access to a yard and space outside to relax and recharge. Really, it’s just made me take a look at all of my priorities, and re-examine who, and what, are really important to me. It’s not something that I have all the answers for, but something that has been, and will continue to be, on my mind.

I’m curious – anyone else feeling like this? Let me know in the comments.