We’re all familiar with the term virtual learning. But we may not be as familiar with the term virtual living. We know how someone learns remotely or virtually, but how does one live virtually?
I’ve been virtually broke and virtually heartbroken. Sometimes things can seem virtually impossible. And I guess in the sense of virtual living, one relies heavily on the computer and internet to interact and obtain the necessities of everyday life.
Due to the pandemic, my granddaughters attended virtual school during the 2020-2021 school year.
Need I say, there were many challenges. There were computer glitches, necessary parental interventions, inattention, retention deficiencies—you name it.
Hey, we knew there would be challenges because virtual learning is starkly different from in-school learning. And unless they’re playing video games, surfing, or creating stuff on social media apps like Tix Tox, kids dislike sitting in front of a computer for hours.
But while my grandkids were virtual learning five days a week, I didn’t realize that I was sort of doing the virtual thing too.
Was I virtual living?
I saw the term in a newspaper article and decided to see how it applied to me. The term is quite interesting.
What is virtual living?
According to the Urban Dictionary, virtual living is spending too much time in the virtual world or giving too much time and attention to the internet.
And for some who are afraid to go out into the COVID world, it could also be virtually not living—barely living.
Now, during a pandemic lockdown, I don’t know how much time on the internet is too much.
When the pandemic forced the closing of much of the economy in 2020, the internet business soared. Many of the brick-and-mortar stores and business offices closed their doors to patrons or walk-in traffic.
People worked virtually from their homes, held virtual meetings, purchased (more than normal) goods and services on the internet. And many more virtual-world interactions and exchanges transpired on the world-wide-web.
Shuttered in, social media became my thoroughfare for communication. Facebook was a great way to stay in touch with extended family and friends.
My immediate family followed the CDC guidelines and gathered outside when we saw each other.
Although Walmart delivered groceries and some pharmacies had delivery services, I didn’t use these options. Going to the grocery and pharmacy stores were practical reasons for leaving the house.
Shopping for groceries and picking up prescriptions were a way to break out of my pandemic-induced prison. A house is never big enough when a pandemic encroaches upon public spaces. The 4b walls, regardless of the room, become a prison.
But wearing masks made the trips to the store feasible even though the deadly contagion, COVID-19, lurked everywhere.
With no church services, I held Sunday school class on Zoom. Shopping for things other than groceries was done on the internet.
But there was no virtual alternative for a family vacation. None of us was vaccinated, and the risks were too high for all concerned.
There was no family vacation in 2020.
So, was I living virtually? Did I give too much time and attention to the internet?
Yes, maybe so, but most people did the same to avoid contact with the virus. And there was a period where I stayed in for weeks for fear of the virus. During these times, I felt I was barely or almost living.
No entertainment: movies, concerts, sports activities, date nights, or eating out in restaurants. No birthday or anniversary gatherings or celebrations with friends and family. No large Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, or Christmas get-togethers.
How did you manage those first 6-8 months during the pandemic?
All I can say is thank God for the internet!
I’ve been fully vaccinated since March 2021, and I still wear my mask when going out in public.
My granddaughters are no longer in virtual school. They are fully vaccinated and wear their masks while at school. Their coming over to the house for dinner is no longer off-limits.
I attend church two Sundays a month. And I occasionally shop in person at various department stores.
As the interpersonal activities suggest, I feel much more comfortable doing things because of the safeguards afforded by the mask and vaccination.
But the pandemic is still raging!
And my virtual activities haven’t decreased.
I am still doing quite a few things virtually, but I get out more often.
I’m no longer barely living! Things are far from normal, but they are much better.
The vaccination and masks help us to live fuller lives.
We took a family vacation this year, and I’ve attended several public and private functions. I don’t mind wearing a mask because It’s good to get out of the house and interact with others.
Stay safe.