Being Intrepid Amid a Global Pandemic

What does it look like to be intrepid during a global pandemic, when doors are closed, activities are restricted, and events are canceled? 

My boyfriend and I were driving to Michigan one day last month—

Ah. Wait. I hadn’t mentioned yet that the Intrepid Introvert has found a smart, supportive, kind, intrepid partner with whom she plans to buy a house and spend the rest of her life, had I? My apologies. He exists, he’s terrific, and his name is Chuck. 

As I was saying—

We were driving to his cousin’s wedding in southwestern Michigan last month when I pulled out a list of thought- and conversation-provoking questions that are perfect for road trips. This question came up: 

“How do you think we could have more fun in our life?”

He took his turn answering first, with something along the lines of, “Well, it will be a lot easier when things calm down a bit. With COVID and house selling and house hunting, our time has been pretty limited.”

Unexpectedly, his nonchalant and entirely normal answer sparked something in me. It reminded me of how I felt when I decided to start my original Intrepid Introvert project here. It reminded me of what I hear every single one of us say at some point. 

“I don’t have time right now.”
“I’ll do it when I’m not so busy.”
“Someday I’d like to try that.”
“COVID got in the way of everything.”

I get it. I say it myself. But I’m also a different person than I was three years ago. I’ve taught myself to take more ownership of how I spend my time. I’ve taught myself to be more intentional about it. I’ve learned to quit waiting for “someday” and instead put it on the calendar now. I’ve developed a better sense of when I’m in a rut and not taking enough care of my own happiness so I can do something about it. 

I responded to Chuck, “I know what you mean, but I think we can start having more fun now, in small ways, even though we’re limited. I want us to have more date nights that don’t revolve around fixing up a house or watching videos on the couch.” 

So I started thinking. And researching. And coming up with ideas for things to do, just like I did when I started this blog. Luckily, I picked a guy whose answer most often is “sure” when I suggest we do something new. 

Hickory Hall Polo Club in Whitestown, IN

First up: A polo match double date, tailgating-style. 
Next: A spontaneous game night played while listening to the Hamilton Mixtape.
And planned: A drive-in movie. An art class. Going to see an underground waterfall. 

COVID absolutely has thrown a wrench in all our plans. I’m not discounting that. It’s inconvenient. Scary. Anxiety-inducing. Uncomfortable. Annoying. Maddening. It’s exposing weaknesses and disproportionately affecting people who are least equipped to battle it. 

But I refuse to let this year go down in my record book as one I don’t want to remember. I refuse to let this year be only remembered for this one thing. 

I’m taking it as a personal challenge to be more creative. 

This is the time to be intrepid, my friend. 

Let’s help each other out: what are you doing right now to consciously have more fun in your life?