One thing that I have learned from being in quarantine for so long is that Gen Z has a way of finding the best coping mechanisms that can get us through the toughest times. There is something so comforting about finding things that can help you escape this crazy world. With all this uncertainty, these small coping mechanisms seem to be some of the things that still give us hope.
Staying Connected with Friends!
Sometimes you just need to rant with some of your closest friends. I don’t know about you, but I truly miss being around my friends every day. Living at home has truly made me realize that everyday things such as talking about our classes, walking to the library or the cafe, or even sitting on our couch and watching our favorite show are so special! Make sure to stay connected to all of your friends and remind them you love them. A quick phone call or facetime can help relieve any stress and help you notice how many people care about you!
Christmas Tik Toks!
Need a little bit of nostalgia to help you stay afloat? Christmas Tik Tok’s are the perfect one-minute videos to give you all the good feels. The one-minute videos vary from people making Christmas cookies to Christmas morning routines, with some of the greatest Christmas music playing in the background. The videos with “I’ll be Home for Christmas” never fail to bring tears to my eyes! I believe that all of us are hanging on to a little bit of hope that Christmas will still bring joy to all of us. But for now, small one minute videos can help us escape.
Reading!
Reading is one of my favorite escapes during hard times. You are able to enter a new world and become a part of someone’s story. Following along the main character’s everyday life helps us learn more about the world around us. Books even have the power of helping us through the hardest times, the author’s words help us learn more about ourselves and our deepest feelings. I strongly encourage everyone to read at least one book this year and highlight some of your favorite parts for reference.
One of my other favorite past times is binging mindless shows. My favorite show to binge at the moment is Love Island, UK! I love this franchise because it never fails to put me in a better mood. The Islanders are so entertaining to watch! Since I watched the UK one, it’s amazing to see the language barrier between our lingo and the UK’s English. Some of my favorite phrases that they use are “Mugged off,” when someone leads them on and “my type on paper” describing their typical physical traits they find in a partner.
Going for Walks!
There’s nothing like getting some fresh air after a hard day at Zoom University! Walking helps us clear our minds and refuel our souls. I usually like to listen to music while I am on my walks and my favorite album right now is “Folklore” by Taylor Swift. This album is the best thing to listen to while mentally escaping on a pretty nature walk! I strongly encourage you to step outside today!
