The pandemic came swift and hard — that’s what she said — and not everybody had the chance to react or prepare right away.
A year after it started, the lockdown has revealed how differently people adjust to rapid changes in their lives. I think this is because aside from changing their circumstances, people’s personalities and capacities were put to the test.
The “new normal” that came about from this ongoing experience may have its share of downsides, but it also has its merits. Speaking on behalf of introverts, it would be disappointing for things to completely go back to the way they were pre-COVID.
Some of the changes that came with the lockdown gave me more opportunities for self-exploration and control over my own time. Working and studying remotely might have been difficult at first, but eventually, I realized it gave me more time to explore my interests. During the lockdown, I’ve picked up more hobbies than before — this, despite taking online grad school classes at the same time. I was also able to revisit old interests and discover new ones, ranging from books to music (shoutout to new K-pop fans!) to podcasts (shamelessly plugging Jameela Jamil’s podcast, a must-listen for women).
It was empowering to experience better control over my own time than I ever had.
Another positive takeaway from the lockdown was learning to be more comfortable in my own body. Being stuck with my own company for extended periods of time took away the pressure of thinking about other people’s opinions of me. Since I was taking classes online and people rarely saw me up close, I found it easier to decide what to wear and how to do my make-up.
With limited outdoor activities, there were more opportunities to try things I haven’t done before, like yoga or dance. So, if you’ve been hesitating to learn the choreography for “Boy with Luv”, my sisters and friends showed me that now is the best time to learn it. I also took the time to finally switch to a menstrual cup. I found it much easier to be comfortable yet brave with my body, and that gave me a sense of self-love I doubt I could have ever achieved before COVID happened.
After a year of living in lockdown and quarantine, I understand just how badly a lot of people want things to return to the way they were before COVID. But after experiencing the new normal, it seems almost impossible for things to completely go back.
The pandemic has changed a lot of aspects of our lives permanently, and the next right thing anyone can do is to put their best foot forward and take that difficult first step into what life has become. This could mean wildly different things for others, but for myself, it meant finding meaning in self-exploration to continue growing into a better version of myself.
I know the new normal hasn’t been an easy adjustment for everybody, but it can’t be denied that it has also brought changes for the better. As it did for me, I hope this pandemic has taught everyone the importance of valuing and nurturing themselves.