I know we had about three months before all of the lockdowns and closers, but it seems like it has been a few years since I left my home without making sure I had a mask in my pocket. I also can't remember the last time I had an in-person meeting. Do you have Zoom fatigue as I do? In a conversation with a friend the other day, I lamented that I wished for everything to go back to the way it was. His response hit me hard, Bob, it will never be the same! 

My friend is right. It won't be the same. The hard part is not to look at that as a negative, I know things have changed, but it isn't that all of the changes are bad.

I understand that outdoor activities have skyrocketed in popularity. Bicycle shops can't keep bikes in stock, and camping supplies are also hot commodities. It seems since we have to be online much more than before, more people are figuring out ways to get away from it all. In my estimation, that is a great thing. If you need a reason to stop looking at your screens and devices and get outside, watch Netflix's The Social Dilemma documentary.

While I do have Zoom fatigue, that is more in the context of work. It seems that more people are keeping in contact with friends and relatives over the internet like never before. We could do all of this before lockdown, but maybe we were too busy? Being forced to slow down has allowed us to reconnect with our loved ones. I think it has made us realize we need to take life a little slower. We don't need our schedules filled every hour of every day. That is an excellent thing!

Luckily, my children are older and not in K-12 because I know that it has been quite a mixed bag for families. Some have struggled with the online, varied schedule or back to full-time school that the start of the school year has brought. While some have struggled, some have reevaluated school and found that an initial chaotic situation is working out for the better. 

I know that there are still a lot of families struggling. There are too many out of work or finding the balance hard. As we move forward, we will find that what has been hard for most it going to help us take a fresh look at life, work, school, and many other things. It will help us make sure that what we spend our time and money on are the things that matter most to us, and that is something good that will come from 2020.