Blog Post 5: Keep Calm during COVID 19

Picture this: college campuses closing for months, metropolitan cities turning into ghost towns, airlines shutting down, streets empty, sidewalks vacant, trips cancelled, hand sanitizer sold out… the world in a state of chaos. Though this seems like a post apocalyptic movie scene, this is the world we are all living in today. COVID 19 has singlehandedly swept, not only the nation, but the majority of the world by storm. As it continues to spread, grow, and travel around the globe, there appears to be no hope in sight and no light at the end of the post-COVID 19 tunnel. However, after some bad days of self-quarantining, I have found a solution to finding light, even in dark times like this one.

As a college student, these series of rapid changes have been nothing short of, well, alarming to my own life. It feels as if, in the blink of an eye, my entire life has been uprooted, shaken, and thrown about with no real answers on the horizon. Even by keeping a mostly level head throughout this situation, it’s terrifying. Being 20 years old is a scary time anyway. Learning the in’s and out’s of life, of being an adult, of being self sufficient, and of truly being my own person is enough to create stress as it is. With COVID 19 infecting the lives of virtually everyone on the planet, specifically in the United States, and specifically an average college student just working to get through midterms, well, let’s just say that this time of transition has been a learning experience in itself.

As I sit, self-quarantined in a house that I haven’t called my primary home in a couple of years, I realize, in a time of upheaval, how much there still is to be grateful for. Despite all of the unrest, the sickness, the death, the isolation, there is still light. When looking at the news, reading articles, and even going onto social media platforms, there is literally no sign of hope. I find this not only to be disheartening, but to create hopelessness within myself as well. I can imagine I am not alone in those feelings, along with so many more. Yet as I sit here writing this all down, I see that specifically in darker times such as this one, it is crucial for individuals to make their own light, to create their own happiness, and to hold on to something to live for.

When I say live for, I mean truly live for. Granted, if you’re reading this, it means that you’re probably breathing, probably have a pulse, and most likely have the cognitive power to understand the words that I’m writing to you. Therefore, you are alive. However, when I say live I don’t just mean breathe, sleep, eat, repeat; I mean find your happy, find your joy, create your excitement for life again, then, go LIVE. This has been something I have struggled with recently, specifically in the past week. Being stuck in a house that I used to call home, not being able to actually go home where my family, my dogs, my mom, my best friends are; that takes a toll on the heart and soul. However, I have been working by the mere second to find my life again, to find things that, even in a time where isolation is the key to saving humanity, make me happy still.

For me, that means planning for my puppy, organizing my old high school room, hanging up new and old pictures, doing a face mask, reading my favorite series all over again, and going on runs (on the treadmill in my basement, or course). Let me tell you, puppy planning in itself is a rabbit hole of possibilities that will keep you occupied for hours. Despite the fact that I won’t bring my bundle of joy home until May, I have to say that calculating budgets, researching veterinarians, reading puppy books, and even going so far as to find the perfect harness, is a project I have let myself fall in love with.

Now, I’m not saying that you have to adopt a puppy to find your joy. It also doesn’t have to be organizing or reading or face masks. I will say that keeping yourself busy like I am is helpful. Making time pass by faster has helped me tremendously. Truly, I would take a minute to, after reading this blog, to grab a piece of paper and a pen and write down everything you’re thankful for, everything you would like the accomplish during this time of quarantining, and three things you can do for some self love. This may seem childish, pointless, or even difficult at first, but trust me, it will bring light into your day, your week, or even your month.

Trust me, go do it! grab that paper, get that pen, and get to writing! I know that this time is scary, that the news is frightening, that the idea of going through Twitter is alarming; but trust me, bring light into your life today, invite joy, harness gratitude, and let’s do this together-ish! You’re strong, you’re amazing, and you’re capable. Together-ish is still together, you’re not alone in this. Now, get to writing!