For me, I’m usually the type of person who has their weeks planned down to the tee and spend more time on the go than in one place. So, once I started to social distance during the week before finals (almost four weeks ago), I found my usual lifestyles begin to shift around. Instead of saying yes to almost everything or pushing off things, I began to be more selective or was able to put my full energy into a few tasks instead of spreading myself too thin. I began to feel more grounded and able to catch a break.
However, with the start of the quarter I began to find myself feeling overwhelmed again. The months of spring, specifically April, have always been heavy for my mental health since the beginning of my adolescence. Entering this quarter, mixed with seasonal depression and the current state of the world, is why I have been proceeding with caution. Although this is usually a difficult time for me, I’m trying to focus on the present and the things I can change.
I’ve felt a fair share of anxiety during this pandemic, but it’s also allowed me to slow down and reevaluate my current situation. I try to remind myself in affirmations: I am safe, I am breathing, I am here. One of the things that help the most is that I’m safe at home, rather than seeing myself as stuck at home.
However, being at home has its upsides. I finally get to sleep in instead of trying to catch the bus to campus, don’t have to walk alone late at night to any classes, and I’m able to workout almost everyday. Although we can get on each other’s nerves, I’m also thankful to be with my family. I wish I could see my other family such as grandparents, but we all understand the importance of staying in for now so we can see each other later.
With all that’s going on, I really feel like this has allowed me to stop and be more appreciative towards the little things. Even if I used to complain about some things such as crowded lecture halls, missing the bus, or going to class I realized I do miss it. I learned that I shouldn’t dwell on what I missed, but instead to be grateful for what I currently have.
To better protect my mental health, I believe practicing daily gratitude has helped me a lot. Even if we are socially distancing from others, this can be an opportunity to become closer with yourself and better understand what you need.