People always tell you never take a moment for granted because you never know when the next time an opportunity will present itself or if it ever will again. This year has truly shown us firsthand how powerful this statement is, people are always saying “maybe next time” or “another time” when invited to hangout or go on an adventure, so consumed with their own lives. If you had told me at the beginning of 2020 that the last part of my 4th year of college was going to be finished remotely at home because of COVID-19 and not in a classroom I probably wouldn’t have believed you or liked the break from having to get up early to walk to classes and sit in a classroom with other overtired students. However, it is now May; we have been in quarantine over a month and half, and I am truly over it.
Looking back on Fall semester I took many opportunities for granted the ease of doing things I would do every day; being able to walk to class and sit in person with my classmates and not on zoom, being able to workout at the gym and not in my bedroom, going to Scorps in Durham and enjoy the nice weather outside from their deck. During this time, I would want to stay in some nights because I was “tired” not realizing that it would be some of the last and only times I would be with my friends at the bars and even missed some tailgating opportunities because I thought to myself “there is always next year”. Quarantine has also showed me that I never realized how many of my hobbies include non-essential businesses as well as not social distancing; restaurants, bars, beaches, shopping. We have been trapped in our houses for such a long and are running out of ideas of things to do.
Here is a quick list of some activities I have been utilizing to keep busy during quarantine.
- Read a new book
- Listen to Music
- Zoom call / Facetime Friends and Family you aren’t with
- Take a walk outside
- Go on a Drive
- Try cooking instead of going out to dinner
- Not good at cooking? TRY TAKEOUT
- Learn new trending Tik Toks
- Write a letter to someone you know who is isolated (Assisted Living Facilities, Grandparents, Hospitals)
- Online Shopping