Hello Again

It’s been a minute since I have written a blog post. Since my last post at the beginning of the month, the world has seen quite a lot of change. Whereas just a couple of weeks ago, I’m sure you were reading this blog from your dorm room, your classroom, your office, or maybe even sitting in a coffee shop, now you are most likely at, what I like to call, home home – your real home, your permanent address. Man, what a change that is! If you feel anything like me, I’m sure you’re having a difficult time adjusting to this new normal. The motivation to pick myself up, continue my work, and carry on is definitely lacking and a general cloud of anxiety sits above my head. My mind swirls with questions: How long will this last? How will this affect my future plans? In what ways will the world change? Are my loved ones safe? Will we ever be completely safe?

As a person who loves to make a plan and write down my schedule with absolute certainty, the state of the world has forced me to sit down, take a breath, and be grateful for what is around me. While it certainly was not planned that I come home to finish out my first year of graduate school, I cannot help but feel grateful. Grateful to have a home to which I can return. Grateful for a full refrigerator. Grateful for plenty of hand sanitizer, soap, paper towels, and toilet paper. Grateful to have working technology that allows me to continue my studies. While it is true that I am a bit afraid and my lack of plan and direction leaves me feeling unsettled, I do believe there is a silver lining to be seen in what feels like utter darkness.

While this blog typically focuses on the relationship between fashion and sustainability, for this post, I feel it is necessary to recognize the luxury to be seen in many things. Before I started writing, my family and I were having a conversation about groceries – bread, to be more specific. We were talking about how, oftentimes, people throw out the ends from loaves of bread. Who wants to eat the ends of the bread? Usually, I would say, “not me!” But now, we see value in each and every piece of bread – even the ends. Why? Because we don’t know when we will be able to get any more. What was once a thoughtless task – going to the grocery store – is now a luxury. It is a chance to go outside, to get fresh air, to see other people, to interact. I now recognize that we take those things for granted. We take many things for granted.

What I hope you take away from this reflection is that nothing lasts forever. This pandemic won’t last forever. The societal anxiety and fear won’t last forever. But also, our resources won’t last forever. In order to sustain and endure, we must treasure and be grateful for what we have. Everything is a luxury. Stay inside. Wash your hands. Hug your pets.

Bye for now,

McGee

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