Enduring and Remembering the Pandemic

There is a quote from Ursula K. Le Guin’s novel, The Dispossessed, that reads “If you evade suffering you also evade the chance of joy. Pleasure you might get, but you will not be fulfilled. You will not know what it is to come home”. Ironically, her novel is a Utopian one – certainly a far cry from how this year might be labelled. And yet, there is much to be gleaned from the phrase, as we consider how the emotional and physical turmoil of 2020 manifests itself in our post-pandemic character.

Wearied by unabated death and illness, our lives mired in an uncertain stagnation fierce enough to threaten any aspirations for the future, we have indubitably faced suffering rather than evaded it. Furthermore, we have done so collectively, encountering the virus and its effects the world over. That is not to ignore the immense disparities in how various demographics have endured this year, but to acknowledge the sense of community and find hope within.

It has seemed much more common recently to be stopped suddenly in one’s tracks, overwhelmed by an acute, existential awareness of being alive. Written down, the idea seems absurd; of course we’re a person, alive and reading yet another musing on the profound changes precipitated by this hideous year, in order to convince ourselves that something matters. But it does. The minute details of the everyday seem heightened, because we are constantly driving forward against mounting pressures, adversities and, conversely, successes. 

“By now, the ordinary has long felt arduous and exhausting, so in creating new points of focus and distraction, we are testing out new methods of fulfilment.”

Months later, lockdown trends seem fickle and trifling, but they are a testament to our shared coping strategies. Reflecting on a nation’s (and beyond) penchant for whipped iced coffee, sourdough starters and BBC dramas, we can follow a story of endurance and connection. By now, the ordinary has long felt arduous and exhausting, so in creating new points of focus and distraction, we are testing out new methods of fulfilment. Of course, evading the suffering of the pandemic isn’t an option, but it has permitted us to find greater pleasure in the smaller things. 

Here, other Empoword contributor, Katie, considers how we will reflect on 2020. 

2020 will certainly be a year to remember and will go down in history as the strangest year of our lives. When the global pandemic was first announced, there was no way we could’ve predicted what was to come. This year has felt like the slowest, yet quickest year and I know many people will be able to vouch for that. Looking back on the early lockdown days, life was extremely stagnant and the days were slow. Yet, the weeks and months have slipped through our fingers and we’ll soon be in September. How did that happen?

“The world will never be the same again.”

Although this year has had such a tragic impact, it’s been the turning point in many people’s lives. The virus has impacted all of us in one way or another, which will have been the wake-up call that many needed. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their lives after contracting the virus and this has sparked great appreciation in those who’ve remained healthy. People will now make the most of every opportunity, they won’t take things for granted and we’ll have a greater appreciation for simply being alive. The world will never be the same again.

This year will also be remembered for the many trends that have been and gone. The time when everyone took to social media to show off their baking skills (which was really just a one-off loaf of banana bread) seems like a lifetime ago. After the baking episode we entered a phase of exercise, which was also a time for giving as we ran 5k, donated £5 to charity and nominated another 5 people to do the same. In between all of the baking and exercising, there was enough time to watch some of the trending series, with Tiger King and Normal People taking the top spots.

“We’ve all been on such different journeys and although we’ll take away different things from this strange year, it’s one we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.”

For those living in the virtual world, they’ll remember this year for the endless hours they spent on Animal Crossing – because let’s face it, they had the time to. Social interaction also turned virtual and Zoom calls were the equivalent of a night out. Whether it was a quiz, a few drinks or just a catch up, we all have Zoom to thank for allowing us to stay in contact with our loved ones. We’ve all been on such different journeys and although we’ll take away different things from this strange year, it’s one we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.

 

Katie Wheatley and Florence Herlihy

Featured image courtesy of Bessi via Pixabay.