[Image description: A Tumblr post that reads, "Two bros, chilling in a hot tub, five feet apart because they're practicing social distancing". Below this, it is tagged with "they're also gay" "if you were wondering". ]
Hello everyone! Welcome back. I’m sorry for the long pause in posts; I’ve been a little scatterbrained the last couple of weeks, to be honest. Also, I hope it doesn’t seem too flakey of me, but I’ve decided against making this “part 2” of my social anxiety post. After mulling it over, it didn’t make sense to me to put out a post about social anxiety at a time when everyone’s ability to socialize is extremely hindered.
Instead, I want to talk about the pandemic.
I’m fortunate enough to live with very supportive family members, but I know that isn’t the case for many trans people. For those of you who are stuck with unaccepting relatives, this must be a really difficult time. I’m sorry that you have to endure that.
I wanted to offer some resources that might be helpful to those of you in that crummy situation, or anyone whose feeling the quarantine blues in general.
Genderspectrum is a nonprofit with a focus on creating “a gender-inclusive world for all children and youth.” They’ve put together a list of resources for trans/questioning folks coping with the pandemic, including online groups for teens and pre-teens!
If you’re interested, take a look: https://www.genderspectrum.org/blog/resources-for-challenging-times/
Also, it would be remiss of me not to mention the virtual meetings that GSA Link is offering! Check out the Discord if you haven’t already for all the latest announcements!
And if you’ve been feeling under the weather, and you have the means and the motivation to, try to take a walk every now and then. Stretch your legs. Watch a new TV show. Read a book you’ve never read. Wake up at an earlier time than you usually do. It may not seem like much, but doing little things to introduce variety into your days can help you feel a lot more alive.
[Image Description: A two panel meme using screen shots from the American sitcom The Office. In the first panel, there are two pieces of paper being held out by a pair of hands belonging to the character Pam. One sheet is labelled with the word "Today", while the other is labelled "Tomorrow and a day after that, and the day after that, and the day after that..." Pam is addressing someone, and her words are subtitled at the bottom of the image, saying, "Corporate needs you to find the differences between this picture and this picture."
The next panel shows Pam being interviewed alone, looking directly into the camera. A block of text has been edited over her chest labelled, "me, in quarantine." At the bottom of the image, her words are subtitled, saying, "They're the same picture." ]
It’s really easy to get trapped in a routine that feels claustrophobic and monotonous at a time like this. So please take care of yourselves, and mix things up if you’re starting to reach that point.
Also, while we’re on the topic of mental self-care, let’s not forget about physical self-care during this time! Please, please, PLEASE practice social distancing, hand-washing, and mask-wearing, everyone! I don’t want any of you or your loved ones to get sick!!!
And if anyone needs to review proper mask etiquette, here is a very helpful video walking you through it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLuEwwGhBxI&t=1s
Be safe, everyone. And until next time, have a gay life!