Quarantine fatigue vs re-opening fatigue

As COVID-19 numbers continue to rise, it seems 'quarantine fatigue' is still very much alive and well. I believe it is a real thing, and I probably had some issues with it myself. However, now that I've returned to work, I think I'm suffering even more from 're-opening fatigue.'

Quarantine Fatigue is the struggle many have had with self-isolating during this pandemic. This article from PsychCentral is insightful, and offers this definition of sorts:

Quarantine Fatigue speaks to our difficulty maintaining the limits on up front and personal, 3-dimensional contact with our fellow human beings. The result for many people is irritability, restlessness, general crankiness, and even physical exhaustion. It mimics depression in many ways and could be misunderstood as the onset of a mental health disorder, rather than a normal response to an abnormal situation.

It's a good article and I suggest you read it, as it does help explain so much of the angst occurring today. There are also some really good suggestions for how to deal with it.

For me, though, even though it took a bit of getting used to... I actually enjoyed my 2 1/2 months of quarantine! I was able to sleep well, wake naturally, read, write, exercise, and I felt I was at a pretty good place both physically and mentally. That is... UNTIL I returned to work!

Re-Opening Fatigue seemed a greater cause of anxiety for me. I was more stressed over returning to work or going back to some semblance of "normal," than I was with staying home. Since I've returned to work I've lost all interest in exercise, reading, writing, and... pretty much everything. Perhaps it's because I work an "abnormal" schedule, but it is wearing on me nonetheless.

I really miss sleeping in. I miss easing into the day. I miss reading... having time to think... going on long walks... I miss the slowness of life that the quarantine brought.

I do realize, even though it has now been a month since I've been working again, it is an adjustment itself. It's nothing serious, and I'm sure I will get over it. It helps me to write it out as a reminder to myself. This too shall pass...

And... we're all different, aren't we? That's what seems so difficult in all this change taking place in 2020. The world has undergone and still is undergoing some tremendous change, and everyone reacts to it differently. While some change may be only temporary, much of it will be lasting.

It actually has happened at other times in history - wars, depressions, other plagues - but it doesn't lessen the severity. Regardless, we will ultimately have to choose whether we will adapt, or not.

Perhaps the best we can do is to remind ourselves of things we have known in the past. One of my favorite and most powerful verses in the bible is this from Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus is quoted as saying:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”