By: 
Autumn Jager 
I Can’t Wait!
As the first anniversary of living in a global pandemic came and went, I found myself reminiscing on last March, when we all thought things were going to calm down in a few weeks. There are a lot of things that I would’ve done at the beginning of 2020 if I had known how different things would be for the rest of the year. With the recent surge in the number of people being vaccinated, I’m starting to feel a little more hopeful. With that in mind, here’s some of the things that I will look at just a little bit differently in the future.
Giving hugs: Anyone who knows me knows that I hate physical contact. Most of my close friends can count the number of times I’ve initiated hugs or let them hug me on one hand. Before COVID, I didn’t think there was anything that was going to change that feeling for me, but I guess I was wrong!
Knowing the appropriate response to meeting new people: My go-to has always been a handshake. But now? Do I shake your hand and then immediately offer you hand sanitizer? Is it rude to immediately use it myself after shaking your hand? What about fist bumps? Elbow bumps? Air high-fives? Nothing?
Attending concerts and sporting events: I’ve been involved in music from a very young age, and I LOVE attending concerts. The last concert I went to before COVID was a Jonas Brothers concert from their last tour, and it was SO MUCH FUN. I don’t watch many sports, but I am a huge hockey fan. My last hockey game feels like forever ago. I almost can’t remember what it feels like to pack into a crowded arena with thousands of people to experience events like this!
Random conversations with strangers: This may be a little more specific to me, but I’m one of those people who likes to strike up conversations with random strangers when I’m picking up food or walking my dog. I’m excited to be able to do this again without having to guess what their facial expressions are behind their masks (because honestly, I’m positive I have annoyed strangers in the past year and just haven’t noticed).
Trying new restaurants (or going out to eat in general): One of my favorite things to do is try new restaurants with friends, and I can’t even remember the last time I did that. I’m also a terrible cook, so I have a feeling that has a lot to do with the fact that I am very tired of eating at home alone. I also love doing homework in crowded coffee shops and restaurants because I work well with chaotic background noise (don’t ask me why, I don’t know).
Spending time with parents/grandparents: My grandparents are two of my favorite people in the world, but unfortunately, they both have pre-existing health conditions that put them at higher risk for COVID-19. I’m feeling a lot better about the two of them doing things like grocery shopping and going out to eat now that they’re both fully vaccinated (and I am too!), but FaceTimes and phone calls just aren’t the same as spending time with them in person.
Hand sanitizer that smelled ok: I realize hand sanitizer has never smelled THAT good. But seriously, has it always smelled THIS bad????
What do you miss from life before COVID? What is the first thing you’ll do when we are back to “normal”?
