We thought we were ready. We were in fact quite excited for all of this to be over, white-knuckling it until we could run outside and hug everyone we saw. But as freedom comes nearer, we’re less sure we want things to go back to how they used to be.

Why is that? This reticence feels like it might go beyond issues of measuring risk. If a Fauci godmother showed up right now to wave her wand and magically declare the world to be fully safe, some of us would probably still stay cozy under our blankets. As it turns out, we've grown accustomed to our Zooms.

So what are the things making us feel less than ready for a return to the world? And are some of the things we're dreading a return to things we don't *have* to resume at all?

Here are links to some other writing on the topic that we mention in this episode:

Adam Grant for The New York Times : There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing

Christine Koh for Washington Post: The pandemic has caused parents to slow down. Here’s how to preserve that pace.

Steven Petrow for Washington Post: I’m vaccinated, but I’m really not ready to leave my pandemic cocoon

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