Tight Friendships Are A Blessing
I think this is something we all know to be true, but quarantine has definitely solidified it for me. I could not have gotten through this pandemic without the helping hands of my friends and our real, honest conversations. Between socially-distanced hangouts and Zoom happy hours, I think I would’ve totally lost myself if it weren’t for their undying support.
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Don’t Take Your Schedule For Granted
With a jam-packed schedule on any given college day, I oftentimes imagine how sweet it would be to crawl in bed with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and watch Netflix till the wee hours nonchalantly. But for the past three months, I’ve literally been given that exact opportunity every single day, and it’s nothing close to glamourous. Having structure embedded in my daily life is paramount, and a defined calendar is what gives each hour its purpose. A few days into quarantine, I made a habit to jot down my schedule each night, so I’d have an agenda to follow the next morning and help myself feel like I have tasks to accomplish.
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It’s Okay To Do Nothing
This may be a bit of a contradiction to my last point, but it’s crucial to keep in mind that a viral pandemic like this one may never occur again during our lifetime. Therefore, we should take the opportunity to unwind and care for our well-being, too. For only once in your life, there won’t be consequences if you choose to sleep in until 2 p.m. and proceed to binge on Netflix for the rest of the afternoon. Go for it and soak it in, because when this is all over, you’re going to wish for it.
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Family Time Can Be Fun
Being stuck indoors with parents and siblings for months on end is an ideal situation for nobody and surely not the way we envisioned finishing off the semester. However, I’ve come to realize that while we may have missed out on a lot, we have gained so much as well. Studying miles away from home means spending time with family is limited strictly to holiday breaks or quick weekend visits, but quarantine has given us an opportunity to bond extensively with our loved ones. I’ve had more family movie nights in the last three months than the last 20 years, and I’ve come to enjoy and appreciate these memorable times we’ve been given that we’ll all remember.
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There’s A Silver Lining To Everything
When all hailed loose, I, like everyone else, had no clue how I planned to get through this. I went from spending my days surrounded by inspiring friends under the sunshine of the most beautiful, bustling city to trapped in my household with nothing to do in a super chilly small town. I contemplated how to keep myself entertained, because if I didn’t get moving soon, I’d be in for a long few months or so. I finally kicked off some projects I’d put off for years: I cleaned my closet, organized my room and even decided to start making DoorDash deliveries and Instacart shopping trips. The whole world is stuck at home and searching for hobbies to do, and there is something out there for you. Think of a to-do you’ve been meaning to check and get to it. Now’s your chance!
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Life Is Just Too Short
We’ve heard it forever, but I believe quarantine has truly put this phrase into perspective. Nothing in life is guaranteed. From now on, tackle each day as if quarantine starts tomorrow!
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Appreciate The Little Moments
This one really hit me on Memorial Day. I spent the afternoon hanging out with my four-year-old neighbors, who had a blast splashing me with pool water. I was dressed in my best, but I didn’t care. They were laughing out loud and so was I. Last year, I would’ve been upset if that was how my Memorial Day was spent, but that small scene is something I’ll remember for so much longer than any ordinary beach day or party. These preschool kids were trapped inside on Zoom for too long, and all they needed was me and a bucket of water to bring about smiles. Blissful and cherished experiences don’t always have to be some big trip. It’s critical to take a step back and live to the fullest exactly where you are, right now.
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words_amanda costello illustration_rachel rader