Issue No. 2: Locked In

Bored. Isolated. Stressed. Lonely. These are just a few of the heavy emotions we are all feeling right now. For some of us, big moments in our lives were cut short because of this misfortune that ambushed most of the world. It’s hard not to ask, how is this fair? Why me? Why now? Sadly, there’s not an answer. You may feel uncertainty at the moment. The unknown is before us like never before, and it is terrifying. Not only being unsure of what is to happen next, but on top of that we are stuck inside, away from friends and loved ones. We’re forced to be left alone with our thoughts, and sometimes those thoughts can start to weigh us down. However, the great thing about modern times is that we are able to stay in touch with the ones we cannot physically be with.

With FaceTime, Zoom, text, or just good-old, conventional phone calls, keeping up with long distance relationships has never been easier. You always have the option to call up your girls and see what’s up! Video chat has made it so it seems as if you are there with the person, and that is what many of us need right now. Calling your BFF or having a big group zoom/FaceTime call is an excellent way to brighten your day and get out of the quarantine funk… which trust me, I’ve had my fair share of it. We are so blessed to be able to live during a time where keeping relationships alive is as simple as a tap on a screen. While the act of reaching someone is simple, sustaining the effort to keep the conversation going is when it starts to get tricky. All of the sudden, we have this expectation and pressure laid on us to talk to our friends consistently. It feels as if there’s an unspoken law of where if we don’t call our friends however many times a week, the friendship won’t survive this quarantine. In all honesty, that mentality is not healthy. You want to talk to your friends when you want to, not when you feel obligated to. Sometimes we just need time alone and it’s not the best time to pour into someone else, and that’s perfectly fine. If you don’t feel like talking, don’t. If they’re a true friend, they will understand and wait for when it is a good time for both of you. Make sure you’re taking time for you and thinking of yourself first before you help someone else. Although we are all facing trying times, we can take comfort in the fact that we are all going through it together. That is why checking up on the people who know you best is important. They understand how you are feeling and can let you know you’re not the only one, your feelings are valid.

Using solely technology to rely on keeping up with your friends can get boring. If you want to get creative, write them a letter! Nowadays, nothing is better than receiving snail mail. There is something about knowing that person took the time to hand write you a letter and send it your way that makes you appreciate it a little more than a text. Using any creative, artistic details in the letter could also make both you and the person receiving the letter feel special. We have so much time on our hands, so why not put a little more effort in the little things? The person is guaranteed to feel appreciated and loved. Another fun way to spend time with your friends could be to plan a Netflix Party. This allows you to watch a movie while interacting with your friends! Almost as if you’re having a movie night surrounded by your favorite people. Get creative with small deeds like this! Even just texting someone that you were reminded of them in some way is an easy way to make the person know you are thinking about them. The meaning of “it’s the little things” really is taking effect during this time, so let’s try and show people that we miss them and are thinking about them through the little things we can do.

There’s not much we can control in this world. We did not have control of COVID-19 nor did we expect it to have this much of an impact. But we do have control over how we choose to deal with all of this and how we come out of it in the future. It is important to keep positive thoughts when we are in a not so bright place in our lives. We are fortunate enough to still be able to laugh or cry with the people we love most, so after checking in with yourself and your mental state, call up your besties and let them know how much you miss them. Instead of complaining about the things you cannot change, work to better what you can.

Image by @sasa_elebea