Afraid of Social Life Slipping Away

I didn’t use to be so upset with the thought of wearing masks. In fact, as it is true to my conformist nature, I embraced the idea of wearing them to protect myself. But now after several months of being mask-free in response to the CDC’s guidelines in May, I see the change-up that took place a couple of weeks ago as a threat to my livelihood. I have worked so hard to undo the damage done as a result of only being my parents, who I have gotten into more frequent and unpleasant arguments, by traveling to see friends that I have longed for since March of 2020, and have become more than comfortable with eating out. I don’t know, even though when my mom saw that I was proof of I could still have fun while remaining COVID safe as evidenced by a get-together last weekend where we had masks on except when we ate out, my anxious brain is trying to take over, with masks as a new sign of continued isolation. I don’t want to bash the CDC, especially now that I am vaccinated and know they are doing their best. However, I am flustered because of their rather vague and didactic guidelines, like they still want to make me afraid of the rather slim 10% chance of breakthrough infections.

I’m hurting about the thought of losing the social life and skills I’ve worked hard since the spring to regain. Any advice or ray of hope?

So Sorry for what you're going through! Please Do not give up! Hugs. i am not sure if i have anything useful to say but i'd suggest to give it a try anyway. i understand that it is still a bit scary but if you follow the rules the risk shouldn't be too high i believe. Even still, i think it is important to accept that bad things can happen so you have to decide by yourself if you believe it is worth taking some risks. There is no right or wrong answer i believe, just what you feel may be the best for you at least in my opinion. i Hope things will improve really soon for everyone especially as far as the pandemic is concerned. Please Do not give up. Update us if possible if you want to obviously. Sending many Safe, warm hugs to BOTH you, @DazedandConfused254, your Family, your Friends and ALL of your Loved Ones! Keep fighting and keep rocking NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, OK?!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DazedandConfused254 I didn’t use to be so upset with the thought of wearing masks. In fact, as it is true to my conformist nature, I embraced the idea of wearing them to protect myself. But now after several months of being mask-free in response to the CDC’s guidelines in May, I see the change-up that took place a couple of weeks ago as a threat to my livelihood. I have worked so hard to undo the damage done as a result of only being my parents, who I have gotten into more frequent and unpleasant arguments, by traveling to see friends that I have longed for since March of 2020, and have become more than comfortable with eating out. I don’t know, even though when my mom saw that I was proof of I could still have fun while remaining COVID safe as evidenced by a get-together last weekend where we had masks on except when we ate out, my anxious brain is trying to take over, with masks as a new sign of continued isolation. I don’t want to bash the CDC, especially now that I am vaccinated and know they are doing their best. However, I am flustered because of their rather vague and didactic guidelines, like they still want to make me afraid of the rather slim 10% chance of breakthrough infections. I’m hurting about the thought of losing the social life and skills I’ve worked hard since the spring to regain. Any advice or ray of hope?

I agree that the CDC could do a little bit better with consistency. But the issue is overwhelming our hospitals. The Delta variant so far has been affecting much younger people including 94,000 students.

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