I am without a doubt an optimist. Whenever I receive bad news, the first words out of my mouth are “Well at least…” As soon as I heard that classes were cancelled, I was crushed. I knew it was a possibility, and I thought I prepared myself for it, but I found myself rapidly going through the five stages of grief before finally being able to think positively.
I told myself that I could make the best of the situation. I could do homework at the library, see my friends from high school, return to my dance studio, maybe make time for the gym, and I could even arrange to meet up with college friends. I was upset not to return to school, and I was daunted by the idea of trying to participate in an architecture studio online, but I thought I could make the situation work.
The situation rapidly worsened. As I quickly found myself quarantined in my home, I found that all my ways to make the situation better had been taken away. Nevertheless, I was determined to find good in this situation.
I know that I have a habit of seeing thing as the way I think they should be and working from there. This situation forced me to actually accept that I have limited control. I have to accept the situation for what it is and to make the most of that. And there are good things in it.
Although we are practicing social distancing, communities are coming together to help each other. College students and teenagers who now find themselves at home are volunteering to babysit for those who are still at work and who need childcare. Community members are checking up on those most at risk: the elderly, those who have recently undergone surgery, and those with chronic health conditions. My friends who were dreading a week home for spring break, due to personal tensions with family members or friends, and now they have been forced to address those issues and to resolve them. Although no one is happy about this situation, we are all trying our bests to accommodate everyone in their own unique situation, and to help each other.
There is no shortage of bad things to focus on right now. But maybe it is the overwhelming bad, that helps us to really appreciate the good in our lives right now. Times are tough, but so is humanity.
Cara,
I love this post! (Also, hey! How’s it goin’? 🙂 ) I actually wrote about a similar concept in my RCL post where I discussed my opinion that we should focus on what COVID-19 can teach us about society and the earth rather than the destruction it is causing. I loved when you wrote “There is no shortage of bad things to focus on right now.” It’s so true. My mom likes to watch the news to stay educated about the trajectory of the virus, but I quickly grow disheartened and plug my ears. In a world suffering in so many different realms right now, I agree that we must find the positive! I hope that you still are able to do the things you initially hoped to do- dance, see friends, go to the gym- but with some accommodations instead (makeshift dance practices, FaceTime conversations, and at-home workouts). Stay healthy and safe! 🙂