Would I use the word waste?
No. But this year has been tough for me.
I live alone. I can't see my parents much as they are both higher risk.
Without delving into religion, my faith is being extra cautious on this; all meetings in person have been suspended for the forseeable future, and we are on virtual meetings. I am appreciative for the spiritual instruction but miss seeing my friends in person dearly. My volunteer work for my faith has been suspended, so I am doing methods that require me to be alone. Our yearly large gatherings were virtual; this is where i usually see friends who I haven't seen in forever, catch up, make new friends, etc.
I will be missing my close friend's wedding; I already missed one this year.
I am excited to get "back on the saddle" and travel late this year finally, as traveling is my fav thing to do.
I won't say I've wasted this year, but it certainly feels like time has been "lost" in some ways, and that 2021 won't be much different, at least the first half.
It's different for everyone. I am glad that some have been able to experience different things and I don't discount that experience.
But the social and mental costs of this pandemic, while not as great as the suffering of those who are severely ill or who lose loved ones, are there.
