It has been almost a year since our lives have changed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Thinking about it still feels unreal to me. It has been a hard year for many of us. Experiencing and living through a pandemic has taught me many things and has pushed me as well. 

  I started to view the world differently. I paid more attention to the environment, people, and the things around me. Being stuck at home with nothing to do made me go into my backyard and enjoy the weather. I went out to walk my dogs around the block and spent time just sitting in my front yard. I stepped outside and finally realized how beautiful the Earth was.

Quarantine also made me learn more about people, especially human emotions and how we need people to talk to. I was finally able to talk more to my parents and siblings since we were all home. We ate dinner together after not doing so for years due to our schedules. We listened to each other and got closer together as a family. I realized I should not take things for granted and should cherish the things around me. 

Although quarantine has been boring, I have found new things to do. I finally started cooking meals that I have always wanted to try. Learning how to cook also has helped me eat healthier. Cooking has also helped me enjoy myself and help ease my mind. Alongside cooking, I have been reading and painting more. I learned I am someone who enjoys reading romance novels and action, as well. Reading helps me calm down and in a way helps me escape reality.  The same goes for painting. I sit down and paint while listening to music. These activities have helped me get through this quarantine and help me enjoy myself more instead of being on my phone. 

There have been rough patches. For starters, being unmotivated. It feels like I am reliving the same day over and over again. School has been pretty hard to keep up with and sometimes I feel unmotivated to do the assignments. It is not because I’m lazy or because I don’t want to do it. It is because sometimes I question everything and ask myself, “What is the point?” Everything feels the same and no matter how hard I try I feel like it is not enough because I can’t go out and have fun. I stay home the whole day just waiting for time to go by. 

Quarantine has been rough. It has had its ups and downs. All I want now is to get through this pandemic and finally be able to go out again. Right now all I can do is wait.