We're living through a time that not only we will remember for the rest of our lives but a time that will go down in history for hundreds of years to come - this, as bizarre as it is, isn't going to be forgotten any time soon. These are extremely unprecedented times and weird would be the biggest understatement of my life but I don't seem to have any other words for it; it's completely bizarre and I can't say I'm liking it very much.
I've struggled. It's a huge adjustment for all of us to make but, at the same time, I know I've not got it as bad as some people and I'm extremely lucky to be in the situation that I'm in and my heart breaks for those who aren't as lucky. I'm extremely grateful for those key workers and those working on the frontlines to tackle this awful situation we've found ourselves in.
For me, it's been a time of reflection. I've done a lot of thinking. One of the things about this pandemic is that, for me, it couldn't have come at a worse time. I'm a final year university student so not only have I had to up sticks and move out of my flat and uni city unexpectedly but the rest of my degree has been affected by this situation. Assessments and work have changed - we've moved to online teaching, some assessment briefs have changed, the way the work is being marked has changed and so much more. I, along with the majority of university students around the country - world, even - have had our studies stopped abruptly without the chance to say goodbye to friends and lecturers. For many, myself included, there was no last night out with our friends, no last coffee from the uni coffee shop, no last all-nighter in the library, no last personal tutor meeting, no last commute to uni. It all just stopped.
And it's sad but then I get thinking about the future - not what we've missed or what has happened, but what's going to happen. The first thing that comes into my mind? Graduation. Cancelled (well, postponed, at least). But then I think, what next? Jobs. I'm going into the media industries - competitive enough as it is but post-global pandemic? Well, it's going to be a hundred times worse. I'm prepared for that - it's just the way it's going to be and there's nothing that can change that. But it's scary and, for the first time in my life, I don't have a plan. And I hate that. I think I know what I want and where I want to be but getting there, in the current circumstances, will be a challenge - to say the least.
On a more wholly positive note, situations like this make you realise how lucky you are and how grateful you are for what you have. I miss my friends more than anything in the world. They are the people that - other than my family - mean the most to me in the world. I would do anything to be able to be with my friends and just be together - I could care less what we'd be doing, but being around good people with good energy is the best feeling in the world.
It frustrates me that there are people being selfish and - quite frankly - stupid; the government guidelines say social distancing, essential trips only, leave your house once a day, do not socialise with people outside of your household and all I'm seeing on social media is people popping round to their pal's house for a bev and a chat. It's wrong, and it's those kind of people and attitudes that are making this situation a) a lot worse and b) a lot longer. Do as you're told; we can FaceTime our friends, we're in constant contact in one way or another - a few weeks (or months if things continue like this) should be easier having these technologies. People are dying - surely that should be enough to convince you to stay home?
I'm using my time to focus on uni work and get some things done that I wouldn't normally. I might not be productive all of the time, and sometimes I just want to sit in bed and be miserable (and that's okay) but I'm coping in a way that suits me. I've done some baking, I've cleared out some clothes and make up and organised my room. I've made cocktails. I've done a lot of cooking. I've spent a lot of time in the garden - I've even got a bit of a tan going on. I've done some colouring. I've binged Money Heist on Netflix. I've been doing a weekly quiz night via Facebook group call with my friends. It's been good to be productive when I can but also just have time for a bit of self care when I need it.
It's all about finding ways to cope. And that's different for everyone but one thing that's for sure is that we will get through this. It will be over. And when it is, we'll all be changed. Our attitudes, our appreciation, our whole way of life - I don't think anything will ever be the same again. And that might be a good thing. But, for now, let's focus on getting through this.
Stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.
Comments
Post a Comment