I feel like this is one of those situations where you start off really stressed and then suddenly, you realize that if you calm down for just a second, you see that you’re not as worse off as you initially thought you were.
At the beginning of this entire situation, to be honest, I was worried. It had felt like everything was going so quickly. Just that morning we were talking to each other about staying in classes only to find out later that day that classes were suspended and that spring break came early. Like many other students all over the world as well as everyone else, the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic has seemed to have us all in a state of shock and stress.
Now that I have taken a chance to reevaluate and think about the situation, I realize, I’m not as stressed anymore. Amidst the panic and ongoing spread of the virus, I try to think more positively. In these times, we need the motivation to move forward with our lives.
Sure, I’ll admit I’m a bit sad that I don’t get to meet up with friends anymore, go to the mall, or see my professors in person, but on the other hand, we get to spend time with our families. I for one have broken out all of my board games and have challenged my dad to all of them at least once. There’s also more time for me to read, draw, and catch up on my Netflix shows. Relaxation has become easier to do. It’s also a plus that I don’t have to worry about how I’ll be able to fit eating lunch into my schedule as the kitchen is just downstairs.
In a way, I have also come to the realization that so much time has been lost due to all of the activities outside of the house with other people, jobs, and other events. Now that we’re forced to stay at home, I begin to see how much I’ve missed just sitting around with family. If this didn’t happen, I probably wouldn’t realize all the time I’ve lost that I could’ve spent just being around my loved ones and now, with the time I have on my hands, I am happy to make it up.
P.S. If you happen to be reading this, I’m open to suggestions for new shows or movies to watch on Netflix 🙂
Ciana Fe Gadut
English 110 Honors Spring 2020 
I really enjoyed how you took such a positive outlook on this event. Personally, I wish I could be more positive myself. I thought it was funny how you mentioned challenging your dad to all of the boardgames, as I have been doing that with my own dad. Something about playing old games just makes me feel more relaxed, and I seek out the opportunity as much as possible. I haven’t been watching too much Netflix since classes started but spring break was a whole different experience….. If you’re looking for a cute little romance movie, I suggest Falling Inn Love (I relate to the goat too much…). As for shows, I highly recommend Once Upon a Time. Another movie I suggest is All the Bright Places, which is based off the book. Hope you and your family stay healthy, and keep spreading your positivity 🙂
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I like the positive mindset. I also try to look at this situation through a positive lens and determined that I should make the best of this situation instead of complaining about what I am missing out on. I love hanging out with my family just like you and also enjoy my proximity to my kitchen. I like to relax but I know if I allow myself to relax too much it will become a bad habit for me. One movie that I watched during this quarantine was “The Platform”, which I do recommend, although the ending is mildly disappointing. Stay safe and positive!
-Romy Patel
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The first sentence of this post really captivated my attention, and I actually took a deep breath in the realization that I needed to calm myself down. As I continued to read, I noticed that I had encountered many of the same feelings that you have: worry about everything that is happening in the world around us and disappointment about not being able to see friends, but also excitement about being able to spend time with my family. I also completely agree that it is much easier to relax when we are all home and away from the stressful environment that classwork and studying causes. I’ve also been spending a lot of my free time watching Netflix, and some of my favorite shows to binge-watch are Criminal Minds and All American. I really enjoyed reading your post, and I hope that you and your family stay safe!
-Sydney Rubin
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