ditzyforlornn-reverie - Tumblr blog

ditzyforlornn-reverie · 4 years ago

Text

The 5 W’s and 1 H: Quarantine Edition

It feels like it was just yesterday when I last drank Boba tea with my classmates in front of our college building but at the same time, their presence feels so long ago. I don’t even understand why I miss the polluted air I breath every time I ride the buses. I can still hear the tease I got when my friends found out that I made a TikTok account and today it seems like people’s lives revolve around it. I am still confused if March feels like yesterday, or decades ago.

No one saw this coming so we came onto this battle unprepared with zero expectations. But one thing’s for sure, we all did not expect how long this pandemic is. Everyone’s lives are affected may it be positive or negative. From financial, social, and mental, there are literally no escape from this hell hole.

Now, with everything that has happened and may or may not still be happening, I have my own takeaways, the 5 W’s and 1 H.

WHAT

What good things have I done throughout the pandemic?

Surprisingly, as a person who hates being productive, I have done a lot during this pandemic. I have created donation drive(s) for students in need and another one for the victims of the recent typhoons.

#BaryaMoAralKo was the name of my donation drive and when I look back onto it, I feel like this is the biggest project I have ever done that would always makes me feel proud about myself. I have helped students who did not have devices to be used for online learning and I have helped send food packs for the victims of typhoons.

Besides being so proud about it, it also feeling humbling to just have all these privileges I have as a person and not struggle at all like the people I have helped.

What does stress look like?

Online learning sucks. 3 words to describe everything a university student is experiencing nowadays. It is truly difficult to face all these workloads without a proper support system.

Let’s all be honest; we all have a few professors that clearly do not have the sensitivity and consideration for their students. The workload they give us is too much to handle. Everything is draining and they do not even care.

Facing this pandemic alongside with our personal problems, having this unbelievable workload in school to face every day is just too much for a young adult.

Plus my heart goes to all the family members who are experiencing more domestic abuse.

WHERE

Where have I been for the last months?

Besides being at home, my mom and I go grocery shopping almost every other week. That still depends if she has work to do at home during Sundays.

Back when I was a younger, I hated going grocery shopping for the fact that I hate following my mom around the grocery store and getting bored but recently, it is one of the days I look forward to the most every week. I get to go out and breathe through polluted air produced by jeepneys along the highway, I get to see other people’s faces, I get to smell other scents other than my dog’s, and to be honest my most favorite part about going out, I have a reason to dress up.

Where should I put my energy?

Exercise, television, meditation, entertaining yourself, being unproductive, just basically anything. At these times, you should not pressure yourself into being productive. We are all struggling and you shouldn’t be overstretched about not being able to do anything during quarantine. It is okay, you are okay, just breathe.

It is also feels amazing to pour out your energy to the people you love. There is nothing more amazing to see your loved ones smiling.

WHEN

When was the last time I took care of myself?

It is true that this pandemic stresses the hell out of us but always look back to the things you have been taking advantage of when you were too busy in the real world.

I honestly felt healthier with my mental health throughout this pandemic for the reason of being able to just be in my own little bubble most of the time and not worrying about trying to fake emotions In front of other people. I was able to spent time with my family, my girlfriend, and even my dogs. If you put it into a word, it is kind of a cleanse as a person. Now, I am talking with my privilege but I am also acknowledging the bad effects of this pandemic in our mental health.

When to ask for help?

Honestly, there are no specific time. Just whenever you are struggling, always seek for it and don’t be ashamed of doing so.

This pandemic brought out true colors from other people. I have seen a lot of people who have been getting irritated at individuals who seek help online and it disgusts me. How can you degrade someone for seeking for help and call them derogatory names just because you are privilege enough to not experience their struggles? My heart goes to all those people who were so brave to break down their walls and pursue for support. They probably hated their selves first after gaining the courage of doing that.

WHO

Who should I look after?

Besides taking care of yourself, please do look after your family and friends. Family, especially our parents which we do not realize, we haven’t spent quality time with. Sometimes we are too busy growing up that we do not realize that they are getting older too.

Look after your friends. No matter how much positive they were the last time you were with them, check in with them and ask how they are doing. A simple “how have you been?” could go a long way. We need to look after each other’s mental health and be the support system that we struggle to have during these times.

Who am I today?

What makes this pandemic weird is that it made my mental health worst but at the same time, it kind of helped too. I got some proper rest and self-seeking but at the same time got overwhelmed with the responsibilities in school and as a daughter.

But to be honest, I’ve never felt healthier.

WHY

Why do you need to stay?

No, I am not just talking about staying inside your home. I meant, why do you need to stay here, alive, fighting, and facing your battles? I know you are struggling and that is okay.

Sometimes it feels like the whole world is against you and that is valid but why do you need to keep fighting? Do it for yourself. Stay and find the reason that may never make sense but find it.

You are brave, strong, and worthy of everything good in the world. You matter.

Why should I appreciate the little things?

I absolutely miss the sound of loud horns along the highway, the smell of public bathrooms, the frustration I feel whenever it rains and I forgot my umbrella, the satisfaction of being a minute early than my professors, and just everything in between. Some of it may sound gross but I am not ashamed of missing these.

The little things that I do and experience every day, I used to take advantage of and it sucks that I don’t even have any idea when I can experience them again.

To make it less serious, I am more worried that I took advantage of having allowance, and now I barely have money in my bank account after spending everything on online shopping.

HOW

How should I prepare for the normal days?

This “new normal” doesn’t feel new for us at all anymore. We got used to wearing face masks, face shield, spraying alcohol after touching anything in public, and doing everything online.

It is funny to think that the ‘normal’ that we got used to before, would probably feel like a stranger by the time this pandemic is done.

Preparation? There are probably a lot of ways to do so but just keep in mind that this is not a one-time thing. Always be careful and take care of yourself even when the virus is gone. Prepare yourself physically and mentally.

And always be reminded that you should appreciate the little things you can still afford doing.

~

We may never have any idea for now when this is going to end but one this you should remember that is, we only have one life in this world. Live, and seize your every day. Find support that you can share your moments with even when you are both away. Be thankful that we are still here and try to find yourselves worth.

#COVID #COVID19 #PANDEMIC #QUARANTINE #ACADEMICS #MENTALHEALTH

4 notes · View notes

ditzyforlornn-reverie · 4 years ago

Video