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shallow focus photography of white flowers
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York U | Life

How This Year Really Put Things in Perspective

Updated Published
Riya Bhatla Student Contributor, York University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at York U chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

I know what you’re thinking… not another COVID-19 article. Trust me, I would love to stop talking about this pandemic as much as you would. Soon, (hopefully sooner than we think), things are going to start looking “normal” again. But before we reach this stage, I thought I’d touch upon the pandemic one last time. Not as something that we are continuing to struggle through, but as a challenge that we’ve almost overcome. 

standing on mountain over field under cloudy sky at sunset
Photo by Victor Freitas from Unsplash
This year really put things in perspective. It made me realize that there were greater problems than the ones we would normally stress about, greater value in the simple, taken-for-granted things than we chose to take notice of, and greater challenges that we as a society continue to face than we would like to admit. I think it’s safe to say that we have all changed since this pandemic began. We’ve become more conscious, whether it be socially or politically (or hygienically). We’ve come to value the people in our lives more, whether it be family, friends, or the classmate we got to see once a week in tutorial. 

Anna Shvets via Pexels
However, as we move back (or forward) to a new “normal,” don’t lose sight of the valuable lessons that you’ve learned during this time. When you can start seeing people in person again, don’t forget about your loved ones at home who have been with you through one of the most difficult years. When the economy is up and running again, don’t forget about the small businesses who are continuing to struggle. When you get back to the normal hustle and bustle of your everyday life, don’t forget about the work that we still need to do to make this world more equitable. 

sign saying fight today for a better tomorrow
Markus Spiske / Pexels
At the end of the day, challenges will always present themselves. People will always come and go. But the one thing that can remain constant is your attitude.

Start every day with a positive affirmation. Greet every person knowing that you don’t necessarily know what they’re going through. Invest time in your work and relationships because that’s where you’ll leave your mark.

But most importantly, don’t forget to live. 

Riya Bhatla

York U '24

Riya Bhatla was a part of Her Campus’ York University Chapter from 2020 to 2024. During her time at HCYU, she served as both a Writer and Campus Correspondent. She is now certified to teach high school in Ontario and is pursuing a Master's Degree at the University of Toronto! She is also contributing to a research project that is investigating the “lived experiences of the first Master’s degree recipients at a refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya.”

In her free time, Riya loves going on walks with her dog Kobe, bingeing Scandal, and going for Friday night Karaoke at a local pub.