Zoom, Google Meet, Google Hangout. You name it, we’ve used various forms of video meetings during this pandemic.
Don’t get me wrong, the technology is wonderful. I love the opportunity to connect with friends. I enjoy chatting with organized groups of which I’m a happily active participant. In non-pandemic times, I usually have at least a couple of Zoom or other video chats each month, both for work and pleasure.
But now, my children all have video meetings, too. Virtual classroom meetings, activity meetings, friends meetups, and more are part of their weekly lesson plans and down-time activities.
Yesterday, for example, I had back-to-back video meetings from 11-3. My husband had three meetings from 9-4. In between, two of our kids had school video meetings during which a parent was expected to be present to help with any technical issues. All the while, we were fielding our youngest child who can’t resist poking her third-day-all-day, pajama-clad face onto the screen, making her presence known in everyone else’s meetings. My husband and I had two more opportunities in the evening to connect with groups of friends over video chats. We looked at one another and both said the same word, “enough.” We just couldn’t fathom adding another meeting to our day.
Similarly, last week I very succinctly shot down an opportunity to virtually connect with a wonderful group that I am involved with. I was honest and, without thinking, said, “I just can’t’ be part of another video meeting right now.” I later felt very guilty about my statement. But I was being honest. These are good people. Friends. I miss our in-person interactions. It’s just that enough is enough for me right now with virtually connecting via video meetings.
In all honesty: I. Am. Overwhelmed. And I know I’m not alone.
I can’t even imagine what teachers are feeling right now if I’m feeling this way. Not only are they leading virtual learning, but educators are potentially trouble-shooting for parents, and in some ways, teaching others about the interworkings of whatever platform they have chosen to connect with their students. Many teachers are parents as well, charged with the responsibility of connecting – or at the very least assisting – their own children with virtual meetings.
When does it end?
Clearly, my introverted-extrovert personality is seeking some sort of balance in this new, at-home world that we are living in. So much of what we’ve all been experiencing and doing lately is a major diversion from how we normally live our daily lives. It’s been change heaped upon change. We’re all just trying to adapt.
When this is all over, I will accept any invitation for coffee. I’ll eagerly meet my friends for lunch {or cocktails!}. I’ll attend all the things. And I’ll do it with a grateful heart.
I can’t wait to bust out of my house and start to feel like I’m living my life again! Until then, I will continue to seek balance and harmony in the now. That might mean missing a video conference, or three.
It doesn’t mean I don’t care. I’m not avoiding anyone or anything. I still want to be a part of the group. My family and I just need some time away from the video screen.
