COVID-19 Has Changed Our Way of Life
A few days ago, I was asked the question “If you could go back in time and prevent the virus from starting, would you?” The answer to that question is no. The pandemic has changed the way of life around the world in many different ways, which has made this year difficult for a lot of people, but has also brought a lot of good into the world. From being used to the constant chaos, always being around other people, and having no free time before the pandemic, to being stuck at home with family with not much to do. The most interesting and unique thing that the pandemic and quarantine has changed in way of life is that now, people have the time to be independent and have learned how to enjoy being alone. Many people depend on others for happiness, to make decisions, and get through the day. The pandemic has also taught people to never take anything for granted, because we do not know what is in store for the future.
The pandemic has caused many people to feel a deep, new level of loneliness, sadness, stress, and loss of motivation. However, the world was granted the time to connect with family and friends without the stress of going to school, work, sports, or other activities. Being in isolation, no one was able to see their loved ones, but were able to connect through cell phones, social media, facetime, zoom, and texting. People finally have the time to find new hobbies and try new things they have always wanted to, such as: cooking, art, yoga, and music. I have even picked up a few hobbies myself. People have been forced to live many aspects of their lives alone and learn how to be fulfilled with it, which may be a good thing.
Since cell phones and social media were invented, the world has had an odd disconnection. There have not been as many social interactions, we have been living our lives with our heads down and focused on the way others see us. Now, kids are outside playing with each other every day on the trampoline, playing games, and going for bike rides. Families are going on walks together and seeing other families from the neighborhood walking on the other side of the street. Students have been going on hikes together during their free time from online school. Families are able to have game night, dinners, and spend a lot of time together while quarantined, which most people did not have time for before the virus. People are reaching out to their grandparents and loved ones more to express how much they love them. In addition, social media has been much more casual since the pandemic started. Many teenagers are more comfortable in their own bodies, posting online about their new hobbies, and music.
Everyone around the world is required to wear masks in places other than their own homes to prevent others from getting sick, which has caused people to distance from each other. When families and friends see each other after a long time, they are not able to hug, kiss, or be within six feet from each other. This is the new norm, and will be for a long time. The loss of job opportunities due of the pandemic has caused people to stop going out and spend as much money as they were before. Many people do not go out to dinner or go shopping as often because they do not have a job, and do not want to get the virus. With shops being shut down for months, people have learned that they can live with less, and do not need to shop very often.
A lot has changed in the past year. School and work have been switched to online, families are not able to see each other, and restaurants have been shut down. During the past week, I asked all of my friends and family members what the pandemic has shown them. The most common answers were: to respect other people, to be kind to everyone, to never take anything for granted, that I love alone time. There is a common theme in all of these answers. They are all positive things that the pandemic has shown them. Yes, the pandemic has brought a lot of change into the world, but many people have adapted to the change and found the good in the situation.
Many people believe that this new way of life due to the pandemic happened for a reason. This may have been a good thing for the world, with people learning to care for each other, to do things independently, and to not take anything for granted. The pandemic has brought families closer from the stay at home mandates. Maybe the pandemic was meant to happen so that we would learn to focus on our mental health and appreciate nature, resources, and our family.
