Is Awkward the New Normal?
by Vickey Banks
If you see a good friend that you haven’t seen in a while, do you reach out to hug her or shake her hand like you used to? Or do you stand six feet away and wave awkwardly like a sixth grade boy at his first dance, looking for clues as to whether to come closer?
You’re invited to a great celebration for someone you love, but there will probably be a lot of people in a confined space. Do you skip the party, knowing it will be impossible to socially distance or ignore the virus and go anyway? Maybe you will put on your mask and go support them (acutely aware that your mask makes you look like either a bank robber, pretend surgeon or secret ninja).
And speaking of masks…do you wear one or not? If yes, do you find yourself smiling at people you see, only to realize it just looks like you’re staring since they can’t see your smile? Are you aware that everyone who sees your mask-wearing face seems to immediately make their own inferences regarding your character based solely on the fact that you have a piece of fabric covering your mouth and nose; they see you as wise/cautious/fearful/paranoid/blindly following rules/ridiculous, depending on how they view mask wearing. The intensity of polarizing feelings on this topic is crazy.
I’ve never found it harder to know what I should do, where to go, how to act, who to approach or how to approach them.
In a word, life right now...well, it’s just awkward.
This is my fear: that what feels awkward now will cease feeling awkward and will become our new normal. That we will get used to keeping our distance from one another—not touching, hugging, holding, celebrating, comforting, gathering, cheering on and grieving together. That my infant granddaughter will no longer be an infant before I can hold her without wearing a mask and kissing her for the first time. That people who once went to church will get so comfortable sleeping in on Sundays and eating waffles in their jammies while passively watching a preacher online that they won’t come back to participate in and experience the supernatural benefits of worshipping together.
Distance doesn’t always make the heart grow fonder; sometimes distance just keeps us distant.
So yes, let us milk this crazy awkward Covid season for all the good it’s worth. Let’s learn from the benefits of rest, increased time with family, enjoying ourselves outdoors, confession and the space for many of us to receive a much needed education on racial injustice. Let’s leverage our sharpened technology skills to connect with and encourage others.
But please, oh please, oh please, let us refuse to get comfortable being distant with one another. Wisely care for the body God gave you and those you’re in contact with, but remember we cannot stay apart forever. We all need physical contact. Our souls and bodies were made for it.
Maybe feeling awkward isn’t so bad, after all. If it keeps us from getting lulled into forever separating ourselves physically, maybe that is exactly how we should feel right now.
Author Bio
Bible study teacher, author, inspirational speaker and disciple-maker, Vickey is passionate about helping women connect the dots between God’s Word and their everyday lives. She loves serving as Women’s Ministry Director at Council Road, writing for and overseeing the Council Road Women blog, serving as a LifeWay Women’s Trainer and as a member of the Women’s Leadership Team for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. She also enjoys teaching Young Adults with her husband, celebrating her people, relishing God's creation and getting lost in a good story.