A little nostalgia of 5 years ago…

I’ve been trying a new app to help me write called IA Writer. It was recommended by several bloggers I follow, so I thought it would be worth testing to see if it helps me blog more frequently.

It somewhat resembles Notepad++ in its simple interface (which I use to write down my drafts and posts), but it offers more text formatting options. I’m particularly fond of the typewriter typography—it gives a genuine writer’s vibe as I jot down my thoughts and ideas. We’ll see how long I stick with it or if I abandon it soon…

———-

There’s a lot of reminiscing online these days about 5 years ago, when the world stopped functioning and Coronavirus began spreading like wildfire. 5 years ago… wow, it feels so distant in my mind. So much has happened in these past 5 years, it’s difficult to grasp the intensity of everything we collectively—and individually—experienced throughout this period.

On a personal level, 2020 was supposed to be a year of new beginnings for me: I had been accepted into the Social Work program at the CEGEP level, and I was going to start working toward the career change I so desperately craved. Web Development, and Tech by extension, had lost its glimmer and charm for me. I was disillusioned with the field and needed to do something meaningful in society. Social Work seemed like the perfect choice for me.

But then the pandemic happened, and for many reasons that year (financial, time, work-life balance, etc), I decided not to pursue the program. It broke my heart, and 5 years later, I’m still reeling from that decision. I still think about it weekly. That being said, I was fortunate: I wasn’t living through this pandemic alone in my apartment. I was surrounded by neighbours who became friendly faces during this maddening period, and I felt I had a community that supported both me and my daughter. The reciprocity of care and help among us was a balm to my heart.

I actually have good memories of the pandemic and confinement period: as I mentioned, I was well supported and never lacked for anything. I was lucky, I know. Some days, I kind of miss that time, as it felt like the world had a chance to pause and breathe amid the crazy race of hyper-productivity, and we took the time to reconnect with each other. I miss that time.