CONTENT ADVISORY: Lots of cheesy truisms ahead. Still worth the read, I think. Reader’s discretion is advised.
It has been a little more than two years since COVID-19 started. Life, as we know it, changed forever on that week, two years ago. Times have been tough for many of us. Whether that be losing loved ones to the pandemic or missing out on significant life events, we have all been impacted by this once-in-a-lifetime event (hopefully).
That’s not to say that it’s all been bad. Many of us, including myself, have made a lot of progress in our own lives, experiencing a lot of positive change despite the uncertainty that surrounded us constantly.
Still, there are moments when I look back wistfully, wishing I had the opportunity to go back in time to tell myself what I know now. Here are five things I wish I knew in March 2020.
- Spend less time worrying about your grades
If you’ve read any of my previous articles, you would know that I am a notorious workaholic and perfectionist. This was especially true in grade 12. I was almost obsessed with getting good grades—as I am sure some of you can relate to. Now, I look back and think, why? By March 2020, I had already gotten into my top university (Creative Industries at Ryerson University) which I was so grateful for. Yet, I was stressed about getting the highest grades at the price of my mental health. And for what? Your mental health should not be sacrificed for good grades. Never.
Message to my past self: Take it easy. Grades are not everything. Enjoy yourself.
2. Savor the time you have left with your high school friends
This kind of ties back to my first point about not worrying too much about grades. Too often, I dismissed spending time with my friends, and instead, opted to go to the library to study for an upcoming test, or finish an assignment a week in advance. In the little time that I cut out to hang with my social circle, I can still recall all the laughs we shared and the immature games we played. I can’t recall what I studied in the library and what grades I got on those tests and assignments. But I think what hurts the most is that by March 2020, three quarters of my closest friends were headed to the University of Waterloo. I naively thought that maybe I would have had a couple more months to really cherish the time we had left before we went our separate ways. In fact, on Fri. March 13, 2020, when the TDSB said we would be back after two weeks, I said to my friend: “See you in April!” to which she replied: “See you then!” Oh, if only I had known.
Message to my past self: Stop going to the library so much and eat your lunch with your friends, you never know when the last time will be.
3. Time heals all…most of the time
In early 2020, I was going through a lot, mentally and physically. First off, I had a deep cut on my left arm which I thought would never heal. Spoiler alert: It did, but ever so slowly. Mentally, I was exhausted from handling my academics and a part-time job, on top of my many extracurricular activities: Managing the business council, playing in the wind symphony and writing for the school newspaper. It was a lot. The pandemic was a sigh of relief and really helped me get the rest I desperately needed.
Message to my past self: The storm will pass eventually. You just have to give it time.
4. You won’t get any closure on many things, but that is okay
In March 2020, I was a senior in high school looking forward to graduation, prom and the end of the year carnival held in June before exams. When COVID-19 hit and we were sent home, I truly believed that we would be back in school by June. Needless to say, I was wrong. I never got the chance to go to prom or the annual carnival. Graduation was held virtually which was nice, but it just wasn’t the same. It felt like I didn’t get any real closure to my high school journey, and for a month or two, I was bitter about it. Looking back, I grew so much in those early days of the pandemic. I learned more about American politics and history, I wrote a teleplay and I finally made exercise a habit. In other words, I turned the lemons I had into the best lemonade possible.
Message to my past self: Don’t dwell on what you lost, smile at how much personal progress you will make over the next year!
5. Take more risks
Last but not least, if I had the chance to go back to my early 2020 self, I would tell her to take more risks. Whether that be saying yes to seeing that concert at the Rogers Centre or going to dinner at that fancy restaurant in Markham, I would have told her to do something that makes her venture out of her comfort zone. Too often, I had made the decision to stay home and watch movies and television instead of hanging out with friends. Don’t get me wrong, I love television and film (a lot). It’s just that I should have done more. I should have lived more instead of looking back with regrets.
Message to my past self: Stop being so scared all the time and carpe diem! Go to that concert. Reach out to more television professionals. Seize the day and have as little regret as possible.
Conclusion
So, what have I learned over these past two years? A lot. I am such a different person than I was back then, but that’s a good thing! I hope that this article resonated with many of you. Perhaps you even took away a thing or two from it that you can apply to your own life right now. If you’ll allow me a couple more cheesy but sincere comments: You are enough. Embrace who you are. You got this!