I was going to publish a blog all about introversion, mental health and changes brought about from lockdown. It was nearly ready but will be put on hold as something happened today and I wanna talk about it. It made me realise we’re all going through something having spent close to two years indoors.
Allow me to set the scene....
There is a Vegetarian cafe bar near me. It serves a delicious mezze and a hot apple drink with cinnamon. It was never dog friendly. Recently I saw a review saying that it was now indeed dog friendly. I checked and the review was correct. So not only did I decide to go, I told colleagues that's what i was doing this weekend. Why? To make me do it of course!
So there I was , feeling more awkward than happy, with too many clothes and too many bags in a crowded place full of young hip bods. Saga promptly curled up on her blanket and I immediately realised I didn't have my glasses. Now what was I going to do? No phone action, that was for certain. I peered at the menu before ordering and sitting back down trying to take up as little room as possible. Then the headphones went back on and I tried to listen to The News Quiz, struggling to hear it over the cafe’s ambience..
Whilst waiting for my food, I managed to choke on my coke, causing a cough that I was certain resulted in a widening circle of patrons. I also managed to drop various bits of my clothing: hat, scarf etc etc.
Food arrived and was very good. I ate it as quickly as possible, before getting up to leave. On my way home I decided to see how long I'd been there. 25 minutes. I had managed to arrive, order and drink one pint of coke and eat an entire mezze in 25 minutes.
As soon as I got home, I washed the make up off, took my bra off and got comfy. And that's when it hit me. If I didn't want to go, why did I? Why would I put myself through that?
Because I don’t want to turn into some feral creature who can’t be seen in society, that’s why! I want to be independent, able to enjoy food, drink and entertainment on my own. So I shall do it again. With glasses. And less bags, coats etc. and I shall have the sweet potato wedges. Because I can. Preferably without choking on a fizzy pop. You may see me in and around dog friendly Manchester, looking uncomfortable and perturbed, with a snoozly pup causing everyone to repeatedly awwww. Come and say hi.
