Every single one of us is in quarantine right now (hopefully…stay the frick home please) and every single one of us is experiencing the depression of losing our senior year, the numbness to Netflix and Tiktok as the screen time on our phones has gradually increased with each day, the guilt as we sit in bed all day and eat everything in our houses. Everyone is. And it sucks. It sucks so FREAKING much. We’re allowed to be upset about missing things that every person gets to experience in their life. Personally, my mind is so conflicted between feeling so upset and depressed about everything and anything and feeling straight-up weird. I mean, how F R E A K I N G WEIRD is this? We are literally living in a historical event, something we will tell our kids about one day as they get ready for their prom or put on their graduation cap and gown. Something that will be on the AP exams for Macro/Micro Economics and APUSH in years to come. Um… cool, I guess?

Anyways, don’t get me wrong, I believe in the preventative measures that we are taking as a country because I’m also scared. I have loved ones that are scared, that I don’t want to lose. My mom works as an RN in a nursing home, a hotbed for disease. I lost my great uncle a couple of weeks ago to cancer. I have older relatives with compromised immune systems. There is so much death and misfortune in the world already and we need to be as safe as possible. I am scared.

There is only so much that we can truly do and so while it sucks to be stuck with ourselves, it’s necessary. So let’s talk about self-care. If you choose to look at this more optimistically, we have literally been HANDED the gift of time. That’s crazy to me because all we do, especially as students, is complain about being stressed out and needing sleep etc etc. And here we are with all the time in the world in our hands, we just have to choose how we want to use this. Not gonna lie, while my sleep schedule is 100% in the depths of hell, I’m being fairly productive and not sitting around sulking which I give myself props for.

What I’ve done self-care wise that is honestly worth it:

• I workout at least once a day but typically twice. It sounds sucky but there is no better feeling than completing a workout.
• Go on a long walk. I know this is so basic but I went on a 4-mile walk with my sister the other night and we just listened to music and it was an hour of calm music, good company (if you like your family lol) and a breath of fresh air, mentally and physically.
• Learn a new skill. This is on my list because I have been fairly artistic during this time and I want to learn to sew and embroider (Amazon is your best friend during this time don’t forget).
• Practice an old skill. I absolutely love to paint but I like spending a couple of hours and being laser-focused on whatever I’m doing and I always put off my ideas but NOW’S THE TIME!!! I took an old pair of jeans I had and painted the pocket and yanno I’m pretty dang happy with them, they’re cute.
• If you ever push yourself to actually do work (@ senioritis), do it outside!! I am currently writing this (much later than it was due oops) outside on my front porch with my sister listening to music and drinking tea. It kinda rocks. 

And lastly, please know how much sunlight can do for your health, especially mental. Sunlight can provide you with stronger bones, better sleep, an improved mood, and a healthier immune system(which everyone could use right now). It releases serotonin and endorphins which lead to an overall calmness, a happier mood, and less depression. Going for walks is actually the nicest thing in the world. Spend time walking your dog. He/she will love you for it and give you cuddles later. Even if you “hate” your siblings, the outdoors can do crazy things and you will actually enjoy the time with them. I promise. GO FOR WALKS WITH YOUR PARENTS. No matter how much you deny it, we are all going off to college next year and at some point or another, we WILL miss them. You will cherish these simple walks with them in college when you feel stuck and just need a hug from your mom or dad. 

Again, we have literally been GIFTED time. Use it. Better yourself. Come out of this quarantine with an even better story to tell your kids about how you switched your life around senior year and accomplished the goals you had been longing to for so long.

P.S: You can always bake. It’s scientifically proven that cookies and brownies cure depression (lol maybe not but it’s yummy and fun:) )