Dear Sisters and Brothers,
As the weather becomes warmer, the sun shining bright, neighborhoods begin to swarm with people in yards and on sidewalks. The great winter human hibernation is coming to an end!
The Tebbe family is spending every possible moment outside: we’re eating meals on our picnic table, playing yard games, lounging in the hammock, enjoying fires in our fire pit.
All of this contributes to what I’ve been feeling lately, and what I’ve heard from many others: ZOOM FATIGUE.
The cost of Zoom
Because of the shelter-in-place orders, all of our social interactions are mediated now through a screen.
It’s hard to read body language.
We can’t hear side conversations happening with others when they’re muted.
We can’t get a “feel” in the room of how everyone is doing, who’s had a bad day, who is angry, who is happy, etc.
We have to constantly be “on” and stay put in front of a camera.
We can’t touch or hug our friends.
We can’t talk at the same time someone else is talking, or hear other people laughing or affirming in response to something we said.
It’s not the socially, embodied, corporate reality many of us are used to. It’s not ideal.
The opportunity of Zoom
With all that being said, some connection and relationship is better than none.
It’s good to “see” those we love, look in their eyes, watch their facial expressions.
It seems to be the best option we have to gather together and share our lives together.
All this to say, it’s okay if you’re fatigued of Zoom. I am too. But, can I encourage you to bring some compassionate curiosity to this fatigue? Don’t dismiss it (“I’m just being selfish…”) or trust it (“That’s it, I’m off the Internet for 6 months!”), but rather face it with Christ (and other people, too, if possible).
It’s okay to be fatigued, and assume that God is working in and through that fatigue to bring about something good in your life.
I look forward to seeing you again soon; in-person, yes, but also until then on that very insufficient, but better-than-nothing platform we have right now: Zoom.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Matt
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