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No one saw this pandemic coming. Not even the creators of The Simpsons made an episode letting the world know to stock up on toilet paper and stay six feet away from each other. Everyone is waiting, some more patient than others, for a vaccine to pop up on the news and for life to go back to normal. However, don’t you remember when life was normal? Didn’t you want to catch a break or take a few days off from school or work? Now multiply that by every other person who probably said, “I just want a day off.” It’s crazy to say that, but it’s almost (jokingly) like we jinxed ourselves. As horrific and terrible this pandemic appears to be, I think that it can be viewed as a reality check for the human race.
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When the college board announced that spring break was going on for two weeks, I was relieved and concerned. However, my feelings changed when the media showed what was going on in the world. All I saw was “covid this”and “coronavirus that” all over my social media feed. My thoughts were transfixed from thinking that this was a minor situation. People thought it would be over after spring break, then after the summer, but now we are in November. We were all more than wrong. Many people, including myself got laid off from their jobs they rely on to pay for gas and food. School was frustrating and difficult to pay attention to because some people aren’t virtual learners. People began to eat in the most unhealthy way possible because they let this pandemic get to their heads. On my behalf, it wasn’t until the end of the semester that I reshaped my mentality and took the time to see that this pandemic is the perfect time to get my act together. I could finally do all the things I said I wished I had time to do.Â
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For starters, I changed my room. I sold my furniture and got something more age appropriate. My “thinking space” was a lot more relaxing. Then, I changed my lifestyle from being lazy and binge-watching shows to active and productive. My lifestyle also changed my mentality and I became more positive and optimistic rather negative and doubtful. Instead of eating pancakes with bacon, I had egg white omelets. Instead of watching another episode of How I Met Your Mother, I put on a Chloe Ting workout. The changes I chose to act upon were what made me realize that this pandemic is good because it gave me time to work and rebuild myself. With precaution, I eventually got my job back and learned how to budget as well.
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As far as hobbies and interests go, I began to paint and cook more than I needed to. I also read and watched the whole Harry Potter series. If that doesn’t tell you how much time I had, I don’t know what does. It’s okay though because I decided to use this time to explore who I am since there isn’t much to do now. If you see this pandemic as a bad thing, that is normal and okay because it is. The world is hurting. However, changing your view on using this time to finally get tasks done or clean your life up is a much better way to not dwell into the negative side. Everyone is stressing and going through the same thing. Some people are going through their version of the worst just like you and I. Despite how bad this pandemic is and how it is affecting others, just remember that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. This will be over. Unfortunately, we just don’t know when. With the unlimited amount of time we are given, take advantage and make use of revamping yourself, reading the book you’ve been saying you’re going to read, baking more, learning how to sew, anything! See the good in this pandemic.