Stop feeling bad for being extra careful. The pandemic isn't over.

As offices start to consider opening IRL hours, and/or blended WFH / in-person options we are tasked with some hard decisions. Is it safe to go back to work now?

If you are not certain, or are feeling uneasy, know that you are not alone. That feeling goes beyond what's happening with companies decisions to offer office hours, and it bleeds over into our personal lives as well. One key concept we all need to take to heart: Stop feeling bad for being extra careful. The pandemic isn’t over.

It’s ok to say no.

It’s ok to dismiss yourself.

It’s ok to not attend.

It’s ok to say you are going & change your mind.

It’s ok that you don’t want to eat out.

It’s ok that you wear a mask in a park.

It’s ok that you are the only one in the park.

It’s ok if people think you are “extra”.

It’s ok that you are protecting yourself.

It’s ok to get vocal to the school board.

It’s ok to protect your immunocompromised mom.

It’s ok to protect your child in ways that go above and beyond how other parents are.

It’s ok if the other parents talk behind your back.

It’s ok that you walked into a business, deemed it unsafe, and walked out.

It’s ok to order takeout.

It’s ok if you gained weight.

It’s ok if you lost weight.

It’s ok if you threw out the scale.

It’s ok to actually be enjoying this isolation.

It’s ok to feel desperately alone.

It’s ok if your closet is stocked with antigen tests.

It’s ok to celebrate your 40th birthday over Zoom.

It’s ok to reconsider your career based on pandemic risk factors.

It’s ok to ask your employer about a safer work environment.

It’s ok if you quietly do your best to stay safe.

It’s ok if you work in a high-risk job, because you need to pay the bills.

It’s ok if you disengage because of grief.

It’s ok if you are enraged because of others who are not taking the pandemic seriously.

It’s ok to feel like you are over it.

It’s ok to feel like you are over it, but you know in your heart and mind you have to keep fighting.

There are no hard-fast rules.

Covid boundaries are for you to decide, set and enforce. These are weird times. But by having the conversation, we can normalize discussions around personal risk mitigation comfort levels.