It has been three months of living la vida Covid. When this started we were in the middle of winter, which if you think about it, made the original start of the lockdown easier to manage. It was easy to stay home, not worry about bundling up, warming your car to go anywhere. There was no where to go.

Like the animals the hibernate in the winter, we are ready to come out of our caves, or in my case, my condo. I have been having an inner battle in my life (as I am sure many feel the same) about peaking my head out of the condo cave and seeing what the new world looks like. I did that yesterday and would love to share my experiences with you.

First stop: a walk with a friend in her neighbourhood. We walked for almost an hour and I commented to her that I wanted to come to her for a change of scenery. I have walked around my neighbourhood and the change was refreshing.

Second stop: decided that since I was in my work neighbourhood, I would meet a friend from work who is in the office once a week. We grabbed a coffee at our local Starbucks location which had just reopened last week. Here was my first ‘taste’ into the new world of retail. I haven’t had a drink at Starbucks since February.

As you know, there is no seating in store or on the street. We were met by an employee at the door that asked if we had placed our order yet. I asked, are we allowed in, and the answer was yes.  Every bench is blocked off and there are no chairs. Lines and arrows, Plexiglas and masks. All normal now, but still needs some getting used to. Placed our orders and we were on our way.

Had a great walk, but after being out for a few hours I had to…you guessed it, had to use the bathroom. We kept walking for a while and as we made our way back to Yonge Street I encountered the first obstacle in the new normal – using a public restroom. I know…don’t remind me why I wouldn’t want to use one in the first place, but if you are out and about, you really need to be mindful of your time, distance from home and potential need.

First stop, Tim Horton’s. I could see that the washroom door was blocked off with their tables and chairs but I thought I would ask. Employee had to get the manager, who said no. I asked a bit more urgently, still no. Moving on.

We were a couple of blocks away from the office, which would have been okay, but I thought I would go back into the Starbucks to ask them. They said no. At this point it was urgent. I begged. They VERY reluctantly said yes. Okay. done and done. Moving on.

It was a lesson. A lesson in the new normal. For those who are planning on venturing out you need to be mindful. Mindful of where you are going, how far from your home you will be, and how comfortable you would be if you were faced with this situation.

I had planned the night before with my parents to stop by the Bagel House on the way to buy some Montreal Bagels since I was in the neighbourhood. Pulled up, spot right in front. The smell of the wood burning oven wafting out the front door. Drooling (through my mask) I went inside. Waiting on my circle for my turn….I could see that the everything bagel slot was empty. I was out of luck, unless I wanted to wait an hour. I did not.

SIDE NOTE: about masks. There is one way in and one way out, and a man was coming in as I wanted to go out. He held the door for me and stepped out of the way saying, I was being respectful of the distance. To which he replied, “you are wearing a mask so you are okay.” (He was not wearing a mask).

I remembered there was another location not that far (well it wasn’t that close) so off I went to Eglinton in search of my everything bagels. Again, found a spot right in front, made my way into the store…and again…there were only four everything bagels. I bought what they had and said clearly it was not an everything bagel day for me.

Next stop, had to go to a retail store. I ordered some clothes on line and had 30 days from the time the store reopened to make returns. I didn’t really WANT to go to the store, but if I didn’t, I would lose the opportunity to return the items and get a refund.

Arrived at the store. It was strange and gave me some anxiety. I think it was the unknown that I was anxious about. I stepped in and right at the front door you have to stop and disinfect your hands. No problem. I stood at a distance and asked my questions. It was a reasonable experience. The rooms were cleaned and marked as sanitized and the only request was limit what you take into the room with you. I tried on one top for sizing and I was done.

Gave back my returns which she wouldn’t touch and they had to be put in a bin at the front of the cash. I bought a couple of tops which she wouldn’t bag for me, it was bag your own. Experience done. Would I run back to do it again, not anytime soon to be honest.

Dropped off a few things at my parents house and the last stop I made for my day out was sushi. In the past three months I have had take out food a total of TWO times. One pizza and one Chinese food delivery. Stepped into the Sushi place near my condo, ordered two items because I had anxiety and couldn’t decide what else to order. Waited outside for my food and came home.

Came upstairs, changed my clothes, washed my hands twice and took my food on the balcony and enjoyed.

What did I learn from my experiences yesterday? I learned this is a long process. Some people may not feel that way, and will adjust just fine to this new normal. I really don’t like the words new normal, there is nothing normal about this. This is just NEW. Let’s call it what it is.

Stay safe in your navigation through the new. Do what you are comfortable doing and be kind. Everyone is going through Covid but we are not all travelling on the same roads and pathways.