I don’t think I can write about now coherently, or in a way I won’t want to change later, because there is no distance. As much as it is tempting to do so. But I thought a list of things we’ve never done before might say more than that. Or capture some of the details I might later forget, which will help me write about this in the future.
nb - please note, these are the nicer end of the spectrum of our experiences right now. I don’t mean for any of this to sound smug. I’ve simply chosen to collect the pleasurable elements together - I’m leaving the less pleasurable out.
We brewed coffee and unlocked our front door, then stood on our front step and waved at our neighbours. We don’t know their names yet.
Keelan baked bread. His second loaf is great.
We sat on the sofa and looked out the window in the sunshine.
We listened to more records at home than we’ve ever done before.
We laughed (with love!) at the family at the back of us (the ones that never got curtains) that do indoor personal training every morning. Maybe we’ll know their names too one day.
We did a kettlebell workout in ‘Gymnasium 1’ (the kitchen) and then ‘went for’ coffee (also in the kitchen)
I cycled for the first time in years, grateful for the bike my husband repaired for me, restored for me, and kept for me.
We opened our old 7” record boxes and made a ‘guess the intro’ quiz for our friends.
I face timed my 18 year old cat in Yorkshire. She head butted the phone, we think she recognised my voice.
We put off opening new packets of food. Eating something else open instead.
I left voice notes to friends.
I get up an hour early to sit in the sunshine in our living room and read.
Worked out how a long-forgotten tablet worked so I can read books online easily.
I washed my wedding dress by hand
I listened to our prime minister more than I ever thought I’d have the patience to do.
We let go of plans we’d made for 2020, and the idea of shaping that year into ours.
Instead I started to get a glimpse - just a glimpse - of how 2020 would shape us.