As we enter into our seventh full week of self-isolation and working from home due to Covid-19, my list of things I’m looking forward to after quarantine keeps growing. Having things to look forward to has always been a bit of a coping mechanism for me. When I was a child, any time I was feeling a little anxious or worried about something, my mother would say to project myself into the future. To think about where I’ll be a week or even a few hours from now, and all this uncomfortable stuff I’m feeling at the moment will be long over by then. Picturing myself doing something I love or something I’m looking forward to has always gotten me through.
Obviously my concerns are the health and safety of my family, the state of our nation’s economy, and what the future will look like after we emerge from this. I think about our healthcare workers, essential employees, and everyone who is out of work and unable to work from home. My heart is with you all.
I’ve realized how many little things I took for granted. When the choice and the freedom to do what you want and when you want are suddenly taken away, it’s hard not to daydream about all the things you can’t wait to do when this is all over. Here are some of the big ones:
Seeing Family
I’m so grateful for things like Zoom and FaceTime. I can’t imagine going weeks or months without at least seeing and hearing family, even if it is through a screen. But I can’t wait to hug them in person. I’m looking forward to family dinners, holidays, and celebrating birthdays again. I can’t wait to just sit around and catch up. Or spend the day out together, grabbing lunch, maybe a movie. It really doesn’t matter what we do as long as we are together.
Traveling
We’ve made the decision to officially cancel our summer trip to Italy. We held off as long as possible, but it’s just not going to happen. We will try to book the exact same trip we had planned for next year, and I’m praying for all the hotels, restaurants, and tour guides that they will bounce back from this even stronger. I look forward to sitting at a sidewalk cafe, sipping a strong cappuccino or a glass of rosé. I look forward to long walks after dinner with a cone of stracciatella gelato in my hand. I actually look forward to all the rigmarole at the airport.
Dressing Up Again
Not that I live my life in ball gowns or anything, but having a reason to get dressed up is something I look forward to after a quarantine spent mostly in loungewear. I bought some pretty things for our trip to Italy that I’m hoping I’ll get to wear out soon. This green floral print dress is one of them. I just love everything about it. It’s one of the most flattering fits with the slightly puffed and smocked sleeves, feminine neckline, and front slit. It’s also very lightweight making it perfect for summer. I’ve linked it if you’re looking to do a little shopping (no pressure, of course) as well as some other pretty printed dresses below – all from H&M. It’s my go-to store when it comes to purchasing new pieces for vacation.
Outfit details: Floral Printed Dress (other colors here, here and here) | Sandals (similar here, here, and here) | Palmgrens Rattan Tote (similar here, here, and here)
More favorite printed dresses to shop:
Going to Dinner with Friends
I miss the act of sitting around a table with friends and eating restaurant prepared food on a real plate (not a to-go container). There’s just nothing like a great meal served – you don’t have to worry about anything but enjoying it. I miss the ambience a restaurant provides. That buzzing vibe of music and conversation that eating at home just doesn’t do. I look forward to margaritas, live music, laughing and cheers-ing all around.
Shopping In Stores
Online shopping has taken up the greater portion of my shopping habits even before quarantine. But I miss being able to touch and see things before I buy them. I look forward to experiential shopping again. Things like wandering every aisle of Target just to see what’s there, browsing bookstores with a coffee, trying on clothes with a friend, and spending the day picking up essentials with a leisurely lunch built in.
Coffee Dates
Remember the days of just meeting up with a friend over coffee? Yeah, I miss those days. I look forward to catching up with friends over a coffee that tastes so much better than what I can do at home. I look forward to seeing what baked goods are available and splurging on a lemon tart or macarons, and having a friend to split something with while chatting about anything.
Going to the Theater
I miss live entertainment. Musicals, plays, the symphony, concerts…I miss them all. I even miss the hoops you have to jump through sometimes just to get a good seat. I actually miss the long bathroom lines at intermission. I look forward to sitting in a squeaky theater seat, slightly cold because it’s always cold in theaters, and waiting for the lights to dim. I look forward to the anticipation of a great performance and spending the car ride home talking all about it.
What are some things you’re looking forward to after quarantine?
xo – Erin
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Things I’m Looking Forward to After Quarantine appeared first on CathedralsandCafes.com. If you see this content published anywhere else, please email cathedralsandcafes@gmail.com.
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