TOP 7 COVID TAKEAWAYS
By: Justyna Labib
Tags: Lessons Learned, Quarantine, Covid 19, Self Improvement, Gratitude

Without a doubt, COVID has been a real struggle for everyone. As the year comes to an end, here are some of my most important take-aways from 2020.

Prioritize your relationships with friends and family

Use this time as a chance to reconnect and begin to really understand each other. While being stuck at home, I am positive that family members are getting on your last nerve. However, the people closest to you deserve your time and attention. Use lockdown as a new opportunity to bond with your parents, siblings, or anyone you live with. Now more than ever, it is so important to establish a close relationship with the people around you. Make new memories, learn more about each other, and spend quality time with one another. During this time especially, do not take the family for granted. Regarding friends, check up on them, even the strong ones. During this hard time, it is known that every family is struggling in one way or another. A small “how are you” text or a simple call could really go a long way and make someone's day. It is so important to reach out to them even though you cannot necessarily see them! After all, we are all in this together.

2. Prioritize your emotional/mental well-being

During this time of uncertainty, it is so important to pay attention to your body and the way you feel. Just like our physical health, our mental health is just as important. We are all struggling in many different ways during this time. Whether it be struggling to maintain sanity, or simply learning to cope with boredom, we are all making every effort to make life seem normal again. Remember to take time off and to listen to the way your body feels. Especially during this time, it is okay to take breaks. Go on a social media cleanse, take walks, do something you love, call a friend, or even set up a bubble bath! Take care of yourself. Equally as important, regulate your physical activity. Without a doubt, having extracurriculars and sports being cancelled is taking a toll on many teenagers and individuals today. Do not stop doing what you love! Practice your sports on your own and resume regular activities. In other words, establish healthy constants in your life despite the craziness going on in our world today. Exercising or doing what you love will release endorphins in your brain that will improve your mood and is proven to trigger a positive feeling.

3. Learn about yourself

With all this time to ourselves, what better time than to learn more about yourself? This is a great time to figure out new passions, interests, or even develop new hobbies! Reconnect with yourself. Take time every day to reflect and get to know yourself. By learning more about yourself, you learn what motivates you and you’ll learn more about your habits. You will gain insight into what your goals and values are. Soon enough you will come to terms with your weaknesses and struggles, and develop a plan to improve your character to be the best version of yourself. In general, you should always strive to know more about yourself, however what better time than quarantine!

4. Take time off and be kind to yourself

It is so important to be kind to yourself during this strange time, and move at a pace that will keep your self-care a priority. It is no doubt that we are experiencing a tough time now. As a first-year university student, I learnt the importance of taking breaks while studying. It is so important to establish a healthy balance in our lives. I also learnt to be kinder to myself during this time recognizing that it was a difficult transition and a tough situation in general. If you are not where you expected yourself to be, do not beat yourself up for it. You are facing new challenges every day and are learning through the process. While learning, move at a healthy pace and pay attention to the way you feel.

5. Stay positive

Smile (even behind your mask)! Staying positive during difficult times will help us get through it. Remember, it will not be this way forever. This tough time is just — well, a time. Remaining positive should also include being conscious of negative thoughts. Do not simply “get rid” of negative thoughts, but rather replace them. It is harder to eliminate those thoughts than to replace them with positive ones.

6. Learn to appreciate the little things and don’t take anything for granted

Finally, one of the most important lessons I’ve learnt during covid is to appreciate the little things. For example, Christmas 2020 was spent solely with my family. Although this was the first of many years that we did not travel over the Christmas break, I learnt to appreciate this time in a different way. I learnt to appreciate the company of my (annoying) brothers, and spend the first Christmas with my dog. I learnt to enjoy making cookies, cooking and watching (way too many) Christmas movies with my family. I learnt to appreciate the scent of hot chocolate on Christmas morning and appreciate something as small as the warmth of a blanket. It is the little things in life that will really bring you joy. Prior to covid, these things would have been considered “boring” or normal. However, given the circumstances, I have learnt that appreciating the smaller things will allow me to become more grateful and become a happier person in general. In addition, I learnt to never take things for granted. I often think back at the times where I did not have to book or reserve a spot at a restaurant, or the time where a mask was not required before entering a store. I would also think about the time where restrictions were not put in place and when life could resume to normal. When covid blows over, I will not take any of these things for granted.

7. The Toughest Lesson

Overlook the negativity of quarantine. Focus on the positives that come out of quarantine. Focus on growth and self-improvement.

“You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it’s important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages.” — Michelle Obama