The5For

Well, that whole COVID-19 pandemic thing definitely threw a wrench in everyone’s plans, didn’t it? For me, like so many others, the first thing that popped into my head was how my actions could ripple out and affect those around me. It felt like a collective moment of thinking beyond just ourselves. So, yeah, you’d see me sporting a mask in public, diligently washing my hands until they were practically raw, and rolling up my sleeve for every vaccine and booster that came along. Honestly, any little inconvenience felt like a small price to pay for the chance to protect folks who might be more vulnerable.

I did get a little taste of the work-from-home life for a while there. I have to admit, it had its perks – trading the commute for an extra cup of coffee and a cat on my lap was pretty sweet! But once things started opening back up at the office, I was back at my desk, though the mask stayed put for quite a while longer. Even now, it’s become a bit of a habit. If I feel that familiar tickle in my throat or a sniffle starting, I’ll automatically reach for a mask out of consideration for my colleagues.

Looking back, it wasn’t some dramatic transformation for me, just a series of conscious choices rooted in wanting to do my part.