"QUARAN-TEN" pt.1

(10 things I've learned during lockdown)

It's been a year since the government implemented the nationwide lockdown and quarantine due to the increasing number of COVID patients. In the beginning, people were so chill, and you will not see any worries on their faces while others shrug it off aside and continue with their lives. Nevertheless, most of them obliged and went to buy and store up some food in their houses. Other offices are slowly preparing themselves for the possibility of a work from home setup. But even if there are apprehensions, overall, you will not see any sense of urgency. People like me just followed the rules because we all thought that this would last for only two weeks.

But here we are now. Two weeks have turned into twelve months. A lot has changed in the surroundings, the way most employees work, the people you've talked to, and whether you like it or not, many things have changed in yourself as well.

I may not be the only one who had experienced the different mental struggles during this quarantine period. Like most of you, I was also chill and relaxed at the start. Until worry and the intense need to socialize gradually creep in. There were times that I fear of getting the virus without realizing it, or what if I already passed it to someone close to me? I panicked, became so anxious, got depressed until I came to a point that I slowly accepted the situation. Every time I go out to go to the bank or buy some stuff, my priority is to remain alert and aware of what is happening around me. There were also moments that I hoard not only food but bottles upon bottles of alcohol and boxes of facemasks.

Since lockdown, I'm sure that there were days when you just sat down, looked out the window, and had some time to yourself to reflect on life. When I did this, I was able to look back at the things that I did right and the things I did wrong. You see, before the pandemic, I was a total wreck. My thoughts were out of control, and my emotions were just scattered all over the place. When COVID happened, the worst thing that could happen to people like me who has these unstable emotions is to be isolated from others, but I have no choice but to follow. When I felt that I had cleared my mind, I decided to sit down and reflect, wherein I was able to list ten things I've learned during the quarantine. Hopefully, you might able to relate to some of them:

First, I realize that material things are nothing if your health is already at risk. I remember that I used to buy new clothes every time I received my salary. Generally speaking, buying something is not bad, but the question would be, "What is your motivation in buying that thing?" Suppose you purchase something, whether clothes, gadgets, etc., to reward yourself. In that case, that is ok, but if you buy stuff to impress people (like what I did!), that is not healthy anymore. Now, I'm unable to wear those clothes that I bought. In this example, I know now that the happiness that these material things give is only fleeting.

How about you? Do you have things that you currently own that have lost their value now that we are in a pandemic? Ask yourself, is this still worth it? I hope so.

Appreciate small things and truly mean them.

When we heard motivational speakers teach the value of appreciating the small things in our lives, do we actually do it? Even though we listened to these advices so often, we still end up getting caught in our daily lives that we neglect the simple things that are in front of us. The fact that we are still able to wake up and given a chance to live another day is already a reason for us to be thankful. The opportunity to see the flowers on the street, the morning breeze in the morning, your family that is still healthy and happy is also a reason to be grateful.

In this time when the world came to a halt, have you ever stop, reflect and appreciate the simple things around you?

You can finally start that project or hobby you've been setting aside for so long.

One positive thing that we can get out of this pandemic is that we can finally have time to be creative and pursue our dreams or start a new hobby like singing, writing or even start a new business. For those who now work at home, you can manage your time more efficiently, which means that you can enroll in certain classes of your interest.

What are the things that you want to improve? May it be related to your work or discover new things about yourself, this is the best time to do it.

Learn to take things slowly.

When I used to walk going to work, most people I encountered seem to be in a hurry, and It feels like they're always in a race. I then asked myself, do they even have the chance to appreciate the things around them? Now that the world forces us to slow down, I think this is the proper time to examine ourselves if we are still present in the "now". Most of us would prepare too much about our future while others are caught up with the past that they forget to enjoy the present moment. We only have this chance to better ourselves, so why waste it, right? Referring to Master Oogway's popular line: "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the "present." (Imagine learning a life lesson from a fictitious turtle!)

Stop replaying your past regrets.

As I accept this "new normal" little by little, there is a voice inside me suggesting that I also need to acknowledge all the things I've done in the past. I've made so many poor decisions and missed opportunities that create a heavy burden in my heart. So many regrets and disappointments clouded my mind, which resulted in fear and shame. I knew that I could no longer continue this thinking, so I decided to stop being in this loop and begin again. I cannot change what had happened, but I can still change how it will affect me. According to Isaiah 43:18-19, it says "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

What are the burdens or regrets that you still keep holding on? How do these affect you, your decisions, and your perspective in life? Remember, you can turn off that recorder in your head, accept what happened and start creating new memories. You may still have missteps along the way but what is more important is that now, you'll learn from it and continue living.

(See Continuation in part 2...)