I miss visiting my family. I miss getting together with my friends and their dogs. I miss going to our community theater. I miss getting new books from the library (I tried to return the books I have, and the book drop was bolted shut). I miss chatting with my neighbors.

Visiting with family members, especially my family in NJ (I am in NY) is what I miss the most. Next on the list would be working with my students at school - I think it’s going to be a very long time before I get to work with them in the same way I used to (w/o having to wear a mask and do social distancing).

Living in a place without any friends yet or anyone but immediate family, going out and exploring/shopping/eating out made things a little more bearable. I miss that a lot.

Freedom/feeling carefree ring true to me. Even though I truly do not miss many things that were regularly in my life, the aspect of not being free to not do them has felt claustrophobic.

I miss my kids and my parents and our ability to freely travel to them for much more regular interaction the most.

A week ago, I missed all of these things, too.

Now I miss living in a country where my government can be trusted *not* to show up and fire rubber bullets directly at me, if I’m peacefully protesting, so that an autocratic leader can take a stroll on a whim, and pose for a picture.

LBD- i miss that as well, but unfortunately for me, that virus has been making this country sick for a lot longer than Covid 19

LBD, you're not wrong - makes me feel selfish to complain about not being able to hang out in Panera or leisurely browse the thrift store when other people are just hoping to survive the day, and have had to deal with that fear their whole lives.

Janet, I'm the same as you - I've been working from home for years (aside from my retail work) and I always interspersed trips to the post office, the library, the coffee shop, a leisurely grocery shop. It made me feel somewhat connected to others and my community even though I'm an introvert and wouldn't want to do it all day long. Now I'm really struggling with how to structure my days. Things are opening up here but cases are also increasing so it doesn't seem responsible to go anywhere for "just 'cause I want to" reasons.

cindysmith, I'm glad you've been able to find some solutions for recovery meetings. Mental health support meetings were something I used to go to but since everything went online I haven't - there's just something about all the technological mediation that makes it feel less meaningful. I really should give it a try even if it's not perfect.