OK, people (including me) are getting super grouchy last week and this week, on Zoom especially.

Why? (Spoiler: not every reason is obvious.)

And what can we do about it?

First: It's a fucking pandemic, people.

Let's start by acknowledging our relative privilege in even worrying about things like Zoom fatigue.

And admit that much of why we feel as we do is because the world is under siege. We're all worn. Compassion yourself.

Second: The uncertainty is wearing on us!

Who knows how long this will last. Reports trickling in of people depressed in places "doing well" (Singapore) -- maybe because while it's hard when things are bad, it's way harder when they get bad-maybe-OK?-nope-still-bad.

And, yes, it's video chat...

The fatigue is real and documented: You're more "on," in a less varied way, for a longer period of time. Staring into eyes is intense enough that it becomes dulling. Imagine how it would feel to do that in person all day long?

There's more, though…

Here's one: When you're watching others on video, subtle facial expressions (to them) may be magnified to you -- especially in a "speaker view."

So they may think they're just rolling their eyes the tiniest, normal?, bit... and you're feeling they're totally contemptuous. Oof.

You're going at normal speed to an in-person meeting, but online video carries less information in total than being there in person. So it's easier to "feel lost."

And, like an odd exercise at the gym (not that I'd *really* know), you may wear out small, unusual attention muscles that you rarely use -- because the motion, now, is so different.

So, with all that, is it any wonder that people are starting to get mental??