I never would have thought that something as world-altering as a pandemic would halt my day-to-day life, kicking me back to a way of life I hadn’t experienced since my college days. Back then, I felt like I had all the free time in the world to explore hobbies, and it’s back then in 2011 when I first started this blog. It’s fitting then, in our forced quarantine where I returned once more to writing about anime, even though it was nothing like the academic style of the start.
I find myself nowadays writing more casually, closer to my way of speaking than my stuffier essays. It’s sad, to a degree, to realize that I probably can’t write like that even if I were to try. That would take far more time and attentions returned to scholarly reading and stringent writing habits. That isn’t really me anymore.
Now at the end of 2022, much of the world acts like COVID has been conquered and there isn’t anything to worry about any longer. Schedules are mostly back to normal, with plenty of workers taking their daily commute once more. While visiting NYC during the holiday season this year, I found myself in the minority wearing a mask on the subway during rush hour. Are we really back to pre-pandemic mentalities? Part of me lingers on in the caution, more than ready to bundle right back in behind closed doors. It is a relief to visit my favorite restaurants in person, but am in a more natural state when I’m back in my house clothes on the couch typing away on my tablet.
I suppose I have the pandemic to thank for reminding me of the comforts of home and solitude, and online communities like Anitwitter and Discord for keeping me sane when I might have otherwise forgotten how to interact with others. I hope I can repay the favor by continuing with my writing, both anime blogging and my own long-held dream of publishing books for middle readers.
Until then, this post marks the 12th and final day of the 12 Days of Anime, while simultaneously kicking off the 12 Days of Christmas. If you’ve kept up with me all this time, thank you. Feel free to drop a comment if you’re also a participant and would like me to link to your posts. Stay warm and safe over the holidays!
12 Days Blog Participants:
Anime B&B 