This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Mass Amherst chapter.

reuseable surgical mask with phrase \"don\'t panic\" on a pink letter board — Photo by Tonik from Unsplash

It’s safe to say that ever since the onset of this pandemic, we have succumbed to relying on entertainment that we once went to, but now it’s all that we do. Having it been almost a year since our lives have changed from COVID-19, I feel it best to recommend a Youtuber I stumbled upon a few months ago – Anna Akana. Having comedic videos to rely on has definitely helped me, and I know that for others humor can be a form of relief as well. My go-to’s consist of either Cody Ko or Drew Gooden. But spending time alone has inevitably led to an increase in self-realizations, whether it be about who I am or how I perceive the world around me. It’s caused me to look more into the bigger, more complex topics of life that I feel Akana tackles in serious, yet entertaining videos that are shot and edited well.

Sometimes you just don’t want to watch a straightforward video about what you are dealing with. Most of the time we know what’s going on, or if we don’t, we don’t want to face it. Which is normal, I mean, who wants to deal with their own things, especially right now? Loneliness is a legitimate thing, and in this era of self-care that can undoubtedly be toxic at times. It’s preached that spending time with yourself is the only way to allow comfort into your life. Well, what about people that already are comfortable with themselves? Or the people that genuinely don’t want to be alone and figure themselves out entirely yet? I’ve heard things said like “You shouldn’t need other people to feel whole” or “think of it as time to get to know yourself better” and “you’re your own best friend.” All of these I wholeheartedly agree with, but it’s nearly impossible to abide by these after being in a pandemic for several months.

Furthermore, saying these to a college student in the middle of February doesn’t really help. These phrases tend to invalidate feelings of loneliness, and shame an individual for feeling this way, furthering a cycle of hopelessness. It’s almost as if only until you have become so well acquainted with yourself, do you deserve human connection. Which is why this Youtuber has really helped solidify all of that and say, look, it’s okay to not be okay. You don’t need to have everything together on your own, to then want human interaction. It’s incredibly normal. The way she talks and composes herself as well is great because she’s direct and to the point, with a hint of cynicism so it feels authentic and not fake. She covers not only topics relating to the pandemic, but also how money and mental health are related, as well as relationships. In hopes of others feeling better and more at ease like I have, here are 5 videos that have helped me navigate my thoughts and experiences:

1. How to stay connected during c ovid – YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1ahgG1K7M8

2. Can I love someone if I don’t love myself?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEB6o7dlGe4

3. Why You’re So Sad All The Ti me – YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28nwcAJstqI

4. 3 habits that helped me get my life together – YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odYCiuEtGjw

5. Money and Mental Health – YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOK9mQksYbU