Most of us have been spending a lot of time indoors for almost three years, and for good reasons. That was often annoying. But the desire to go outside is dwindling, both for me and for others.
A columnist for a major newspaper recently feared a “new Biedermeier”. The Biedermeier was, to put it very briefly, an epoch in the middle of the 19th century in which life took place within the narrowest of circles and mainly within one’s own four walls. A retreat into the fluffy interior. Sounds really familiar, doesn’t it? In fact, it’s already a long time. And staying inside is no longer just following corona rules, it’s now a statement, self-protection, an act of protest. The world out there is getting more chaotic every day. In a way that our generations have never experienced before. And instead of taking to the streets, more and more people are staying – inside.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, I too have been sitting at home almost permanently, with only short breaks. Not because I don’t have a job. No friends, no family, no interests, no desire for experiences. I have everything, very. But for a good two years I was convinced that staying indoors was the right thing to do. To protect me and my loved ones. I worked from home (and still do, which makes me very happy and a little sad at the same time). I baked bread. I downloaded the language-learning app Duolingo and honed my rusty French. I have read thick books. That was okay, most of the time.
In the beginning, staying indoors was a civic duty
In the summer I went outside a few times. Open-air concerts and sitting outside in the café, with incidences that were manageable anyway, that was great for everyone. It was really nice. Great feeling of euphoria. “Like before,” we sighed contentedly. But then autumn came again, and so did the virus, and I stayed indoors. We were only once in the restaurant during the dark season, inside. After that, my Corona app lit up red for the first time. We weren’t infected, but after that I lost interest in further such ventures.
And now all restrictions should gradually fall, in large parts even the obligation to wear a mask. That, while in my environment one after the other is infected. While parents and children complain about the conditions in schools and daycare centers, about the incompatibility of work, family and pandemic, while ministers of culture and politicians make almost misanthropic announcements to parents and young people. Okay, then from now on you’ll be pushing yourself in shops again without masks. Build on the caution and solidarity of those who, in large numbers, have been demonstrating for months that they understand neither these terms nor scientific facts. i stay inside
Is it really that great outside?
There was a terrible flood disaster out there that destroyed Ahrweiler, and politicians couldn’t manage to intervene to help without giving the impression of mere self-PR. There was a grueling election campaign that must have made even the most enthusiastic in Germany lose interest in politics. And just now we were watching the Olympic Games in a country where human rights are seen more as a suggestion. They still took place there, just like the soccer World Cup will do in Qatar in the fall, or big Formula 1 races in various very rich, very undemocratic countries. I could freak out with anger about things that you as an individual can’t seem to influence in any way. But I’m staying inside.
Everyone in the country knows the problems in nursing, knows about the inhuman working conditions and understands that only significantly(!) higher salaries and the decoupling of clinics and nursing homes from the economy can be the solution to these problems. But nobody acts. Instead there is clapping (and only for a few days), work is being done to recruit staff from abroad for whom the poor conditions are acceptable, a commemorative coin(!) is issued for the nurses, who do not even cover all the staff in this area for free. It’s hair-raising. But I don’t have the energy to get upset after these three years. i stay inside
When I read how many here are seriously concerned with the situation in Ukraine or with the incidences, with politicians, with climate change. I should too. But I can not. My head is full and I’m honestly happy when I get out of bed in the morning.
— office rebel. (@hasshase1) February 22, 2022
Inside, and at a loss
I stay indoors, eat too much chocolate, drink too much coffee, watch too many series that are explicitly not related to current events, and listen to too many podcasts that are explicitly not related to current events. I crave escapism and I feel bad about it. Outside, young people are protesting with a lot of commitment to saving the climate, I have so much respect for it and so little energy. Not only am I inside my apartment, I’m also inside my head with as many layers of protection between my thoughts and the outside world as possible. And incidentally, breaking news pops up warning of an impending war.
One wishes, even when one is in one’s mid-thirties, that an adult will soon come along and clear up this chaos and take care of everything. Someone who can raise pocket money, clean up, and make excuses for quarrels. But there is no such thing and there shouldn’t be. We have to do this alone. I don’t know how though. And until I know, sorry, I’ll stay inside, watch old episodes of “The Office” and pull the covers over my head helplessly.
This article originally appeared on stern.de.