Journaling Our COVID Journey

A recent afternoon spent learning more about social media drove home the point that, although the words are mine, content posted directly to social media is not necessarily “owned” by me. If the social media site “goes away” or ceases to exist in its current form, my words could be gone.

Not such a big deal for some of the quotes, quick status updates, or “read this link” shares. But, a much bigger deal…at least for me…for some of the advocacy and awareness opportunities, long-term health status updates, or “heed this link” shares. The words shared here, on this site, are clearly mine. But…in important contrast…the content is mine, as well, This space here…Just Shake It Off...is owned by me. I decide when or if the site “goes away” or ceases to exist in its current form. So…all that being said…the blog post immediately following this post you’re reading now is content that has been shared before. If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you’ve read it there. Nevertheless, I’ve decided to compile all of those posts…along with any future COVID posts… and format them more like a journal here…where I retain ownership.

why…

Why bother? Why take the time to do all this? I’m glad you asked!

1. I like to organize things.
2. I like to write.
3. I like to raise awareness.
4. Long-COVID, Long-haulers, Post-COVID Syndrome…whatever you call it…IS. A. THING.
5. And it stinks.

It has been three months (plus one week) since I received my positive COVID test. One-hundred-five days since I first showed symptoms. It’s clear that the complications and setbacks I’m experiencing following COVID are not going anywhere soon.

The posts I shared on Facebook and Instagram, I realize now, were not quick status updates, but rather, long-term health status updates. It’s also clear…if you read, listen to, or watch the news on any given day…that I am not alone in these complications and setbacks. As I stated in one of my earlier Facebook posts, “so many people think that once a person is sick with COVID, there are two end-results. You either sadly succumb to the virus or you recover. This is what I thought. Until now. You guys, there is this big, huge gray area…this elephant in the room…that needs to be talked about. We don’t know what we don’t know.”

This is why I will bother. This is why I will take the time to do all this.

“We don’t know what we don’t know”. So…let’s learn. Let’s pool our knowledge and our resources. Let’s share our stories and our experiences. Let’s learn together.