My Life in Quarantine

Before quarantine, a world where school would be done at home and waking up early was no longer necessary seemed like paradise. Now, on the other hand, I wish everything would go back to normal. On March 13th, ironically Friday the 13th, I finally understood the term, “Be careful what you wish for.” No longer would I sing along to my favorite childhood songs during gym, talk with my peers during lunch, or go for after-school pizza runs with my friends, all because of a newfound strain of the Coronavirus, COVID-19.

Monday, March 16: the beginning of a horror story. Every day was the same: I woke up, got ready, ate breakfast, and finished my homework. The monotony of the first two weeks of distance learning caused the days to blur together. I kept losing track of time, thinking it was Thursday when, in fact, it was only Tuesday. I found that mindlessly staring out the window was the most exciting part of my day.

After weeks of this schedule, I decided that my habits needed to change. I found that playing basketball added excitement to my days while also relieving stress. I set daily goals for myself as well as a long-term goal: play high school basketball. Whether it involved shooting, endurance, dribbling, or strength, I practiced every day, keeping my future in the back of my head. By focusing on my goals and practicing the sport that I love, each day was a new challenge. I came to see every morning as an opportunity to be better than I was the day before. In taking control of the things I have power over, my attitude towards quarantine improved.

During this pandemic, many aspects of our lives are not in our control. Being allowed to have social gatherings, fun activities, and returning back to school is no longer in our hands. All we can do is stay six feet apart and hope that the end is near. However, according to The Huffington Post, about forty percent of our happiness is under our control. We can either choose to make the most out of unfavorable situations, or use it as an excuse to sit around and do nothing. I am not saying that there will not be any bad days because they are inevitable. But, learning to cope with them by doing the things you love is bound to increase your happiness. After I began to focus on the sport that I love, my days were no longer an exact replica of each other. For those burdened by the unfamiliar situation impacting people worldwide, I advise them to find something they love, set a goal, and work towards it. Most of all, be thankful for what you have in the present, for you do not know what the future may hold.

—Sofia

Share your own story here. Sharing stories is a powerful way to connect with other people. Be part of the Teen Health & Wellness Personal Story Project—like Sofia did above—and share your story about successfully dealing with or overcoming a challenge.