Hey, in case you haven't heard there's this thing going around called the coronavirus. Yep, this is yet another post about it. NZ has declared a level four emergency which has resulted in a national wide lockdown for at least the next month. To think this all happened over the past week is wild.
Since being required to stay at home there's been many interesting shifts and changes, both with the world I observe and with myself... Some of which are physical, but most have been with my mood or mentality. I'd usually be bursting with excitement over having time to myself, but it's not quite how this past week has gone down. After about a week (and months preceding, where I admittedly hadn't thought it was a big deal) I have finally been able to start processing what is actually going on.
I hope you are all coping alright through this. Times may be tough, and you may feel overwhelmed and helpless (I know I am) but there is a silver lining. I hope there always will be. For example, I read in the news yesterday that since implementing social distancing in many countries (namely the UK and China) air pollution levels have largely reduced. Anyone who knows me slightly better will know how passionate I feel about the environment and climate change and how I never shut up about it. So this is good news to me. Even if it's temporary, the Earth is finally getting the breath of fresh air it needs.
Another heartwarming thing to see is the care and kindness of the community. Whether it's recognising the hard work essential workers put into keeping things together, or the sheer amount of people coming together to help one another online, regardless of the degree of impact. Times like these really bring out the best (and sadly sometimes worst) in people. So often do we overlook the importance of the little things, especially jobs we'd usually (subconsciously or otherwise) associate with 'low-skills', it's nice to be grounded and reminded of the basics/foundations.
So I guess this has just turned into a lengthy appreciation post. It genuinely could go on for another post but one last thing before I wrap up is my appreciation for time to spend at home. I admit one month seems like a long time (even for my introverted self) and I'm already starting to miss the great outdoors (never thought I'd hear this from myself) but it's such a great opportunity to spend more time with family (or flatmates), rediscover hobbies and having time to yourself. Amongst the never-ending flood of news reports, countless conversations on this hot topic and university announcement emails, I hope you all remember to take some time to connect with yourself, your thoughts and those that matter to you.
Personally, I have taken this time to do all the things I've been "too busy" for. When I'm not taking a nap or spacing out, my time has been occupied with doing life admin that I have been putting off whilst learning a thing or two (AKA creating a budget on excel), reading books that I have been meaning to read, baking, calling and chatting to friends about the minor things, getting back into dancing and even producing content for this blog! To think a month ago I was feeling upset and frustrated over having to give up most of my social activities does make me feel quite immature and ignorant. I felt like I was finally beginning to come out of my shell a little just in time for the universe to go 'nope, not today'. But hey, it's times like these that you truly realise what you (should) value and prioritise. As I've told some of the people I've spoken with, I am optimistic about the situation, and I hold great hopes for the changes that are happening and will happen once the pandemic is over. There is still a lot of uncertainty and confusion, and probably a long way to go but we're all in this together :)
To end this post, I'd like to share some of the moments and aesthetics I've been loving in the past week of being in isolation.
Since being required to stay at home there's been many interesting shifts and changes, both with the world I observe and with myself... Some of which are physical, but most have been with my mood or mentality. I'd usually be bursting with excitement over having time to myself, but it's not quite how this past week has gone down. After about a week (and months preceding, where I admittedly hadn't thought it was a big deal) I have finally been able to start processing what is actually going on.
I hope you are all coping alright through this. Times may be tough, and you may feel overwhelmed and helpless (I know I am) but there is a silver lining. I hope there always will be. For example, I read in the news yesterday that since implementing social distancing in many countries (namely the UK and China) air pollution levels have largely reduced. Anyone who knows me slightly better will know how passionate I feel about the environment and climate change and how I never shut up about it. So this is good news to me. Even if it's temporary, the Earth is finally getting the breath of fresh air it needs.
Another heartwarming thing to see is the care and kindness of the community. Whether it's recognising the hard work essential workers put into keeping things together, or the sheer amount of people coming together to help one another online, regardless of the degree of impact. Times like these really bring out the best (and sadly sometimes worst) in people. So often do we overlook the importance of the little things, especially jobs we'd usually (subconsciously or otherwise) associate with 'low-skills', it's nice to be grounded and reminded of the basics/foundations.
So I guess this has just turned into a lengthy appreciation post. It genuinely could go on for another post but one last thing before I wrap up is my appreciation for time to spend at home. I admit one month seems like a long time (even for my introverted self) and I'm already starting to miss the great outdoors (never thought I'd hear this from myself) but it's such a great opportunity to spend more time with family (or flatmates), rediscover hobbies and having time to yourself. Amongst the never-ending flood of news reports, countless conversations on this hot topic and university announcement emails, I hope you all remember to take some time to connect with yourself, your thoughts and those that matter to you.
Personally, I have taken this time to do all the things I've been "too busy" for. When I'm not taking a nap or spacing out, my time has been occupied with doing life admin that I have been putting off whilst learning a thing or two (AKA creating a budget on excel), reading books that I have been meaning to read, baking, calling and chatting to friends about the minor things, getting back into dancing and even producing content for this blog! To think a month ago I was feeling upset and frustrated over having to give up most of my social activities does make me feel quite immature and ignorant. I felt like I was finally beginning to come out of my shell a little just in time for the universe to go 'nope, not today'. But hey, it's times like these that you truly realise what you (should) value and prioritise. As I've told some of the people I've spoken with, I am optimistic about the situation, and I hold great hopes for the changes that are happening and will happen once the pandemic is over. There is still a lot of uncertainty and confusion, and probably a long way to go but we're all in this together :)
To end this post, I'd like to share some of the moments and aesthetics I've been loving in the past week of being in isolation.
Take care of yourselves, and take care of each other.
With love,
Your resident introvert.
Comments
Post a Comment