Like most of us, I've been sheltering in place since mid-March because of the Covid-19 pandemic. As I try to make sense of my new reality—balancing my indoor free time while working from home, constantly binging social and news media, managing mini midday anxiety attacks, debating whether a wine run is worth it—I’ve been relieved to discover a few acquaintances coming out of the woodwork to check in.
What a small mercy it is to receive a kind message or hilarious meme from a friend. However, with the good, also came the unexpected—and uncomfortable.
The welcome wave of old friends also washed in a few of my exes.During the best of times, most of us could be called guilty of silently checking in on an ex on social media.