I had a big realization yesterday: almost all of my friends from Twitter only know Pandemic Laura. She is...not my favorite. I’ll spare you & myself the list of 83 reasons why. The bigger realization? Y’all like her. Some of you even love her. (Oh, I kept the screenshots.)
(1/5)

It warms the cockles of my heart to know that even this pale imitation of myself I’ve been living out for the past year is worth loving. She’s struggling in every which way but is still kindhearted and a good friend. (2/5)

Someday SOON, by the grace of God and the help of Dolly Parton, I hope to introduce you to Post-Pandemic Laura, the iteration of me who is not merely existing in Low Battery Mode. I think we’ll both like her. (3/5)

And in the meantime, I get to do the work of learning to embrace the messy imperfection of being in progress and adapting to my circumstances (I refuse to say new normal) (Oops) the best I can. (4/5)

If you’re struggling to recognize the current version of yourself & feel like a hollow shell? Please know you’re still worthy of love & belonging. You’re surviving a trauma that none of us have been through before, & you’re doing it w/ aplomb. God, Dolly, & I are so proud. (5/5)