This might sound a bit rambling, but bear with me as I try to make sense of all the craziness we’ve been through with the pandemic. Honestly, I think a lot of us are still trying to wrap our heads around it all.
So, reflecting back to those early days when everything shut down, I can still feel that weird mix of fear and disbelief. Like, one day we’re hanging out with friends, and the next, it’s all about social distancing and hand sanitizer. I remember feeling this overwhelming anxiety creeping in. It was like the world went from normal to a scenario straight out of a movie.
I found myself oscillating between being almost too relaxed—like, “Hey, I can binge-watch whatever I want!”—to this intense pressure. I mean, who knew that staying at home could feel so isolating? I had moments where I’d be fully engaged in a show, laughing, and then suddenly hit with the realization that I hadn’t seen anyone in days. It was a strange kind of loneliness, and honestly, it weighed heavily on my mental health.
What really got me was how the stress of everything seemed to pile up in ways I didn’t expect. Between juggling online classes, trying to stay connected with friends through screens, and just dealing with the uncertainty of it all, there were days when I felt like I was in a fog. I’d hear the news and just feel this pit in my stomach, like I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders.
Then came that moment of clarity—realizing that it was okay to feel all these things. I started to talk more openly about it with my friends, and to my surprise, many of them were feeling the same way. It helped to know I wasn’t alone in this, you know? We’d share our coping strategies, from silly TikTok dances to trying out new recipes (who knew I could whip up a decent pasta?).
And I can’t stress enough how important it’s been to find ways to check in with myself. I started journaling a bit, jotting down thoughts and feelings, which really helped me process everything. I’d recommend that to anyone still feeling the aftershocks of the pandemic stress. It’s surprising how much that act of writing can clear your mind.
Anyway, I guess my point is that it’s been quite the journey. I’m still figuring things out, but I think that’s okay. It’s all about finding a balance and learning to be gentle with ourselves as we navigate this weird new world. How have you all been coping? I’d love to hear your experiences too!