What quarantine has taught me:
“the simplest things in life will bring you happiness you’ve been finding for so long”
a time to breathe
a time to reflect
a time to appreciate the sunshine gleaming through the windows
a time to have morning coffee while reading your dusty unread book
a time to have dinner with your family and laugh together just like the old times
a pause from the hustle and bustle
and,
a time to listen to our body and prioritize our physical and mental health.
In this trying times, I learned to be grateful for literally everything and not take anything for granted. From the littlest things like the quiet mornings, the green plants outside I’ve never noticed before and to just be able to be alive, live and love.
Have you ever gazed up into the infinity of the universe and be in awe of the absolute beauty of it? Have you listened, truly listened to the heartbeat of yours and feel the presence within you?
We‘re all too caught up from the busy life and forget about what it means to appreciate the nature, the people around us and even our very own being. We take for granted the things that matter to us the most and seek happiness from materialistic things. We’re addicted from buying random stuff thinking that if we finally obtain it, we will truly be happy, but really- it’s just plain instant gratification. Personally, I’ve also been sucked up into this black hole of shopping online and constantly clicking the “add to cart” button. But then again, I realized I don’t need all those things. I looked around and had a smile on my face. I have a home. I can still eat 3 times a day. I‘m still with my loved ones. What more could I possibly need? I am truly content.
During this quarantine, my 82 year old grandma had a difficult time breathing. She was almost bedridden for a week and was even hospitalized. We were all worried since she might be showing symptoms of Covid-19. She took the swab test and has been confined on her own for a couple of days, feeling anxious without anyone by her side. Luckily, the results were negative. However, she’s still complaining that she’s still having a hard time catching her breath. So doctors had to run through numerous tests for her heart and lungs. Thank God, all her results were all cleared. After a few days, she went home all weak and weary. This was the first time that I took care of her. I became even more attentive to her needs. I realized that she’s getting older and I must create good times because time’s running and we all never know. While preparing her medicines, I was dumbfounded when I saw a pill for anxiety attacks. Lola has always been known as a strong, tough woman who never shows any of her weakness or emotions. She’s somewhat cold and not a typical grandma who gives you hugs and kisses. But come to think of, she’s still a human being. She still gets nervous and anxious especially now that we’re in the middle of a pandemic.
This is a reminder for everyone to take care of our body as well as our mental health. Self care isn’t just about putting on face masks and body scrubs. Self care is more about the process of introspection. We should never neglect what we feel and what we think. We need to look inside and reflect. The mind needs to be still. Put down for a moment your personal baggage of problems, of past and future, and see the beauty that arises in the stillness of your presence. Be aware. Be mindful. Feel your emotions. It’s okay not to be okay. Inhale and exhale.
We are all experiencing this pandemic on different life situations. You may know someone who’s all alone in an apartment or someone who’s bonding with their family. You may know someone who enjoys cooking and tries diverse recipes while others rely on canned goods with instant noodles on the side. With that said, I would like to encourage everyone to practice empathy and help others who’s in dire need of donations or merely a person who needs someone to talk to. Not everyone can easily stay at home in a complete solitude without any financial or emotional problems.
Always keep in mind: wash your hands, sanitize, wear a mask, stay safe and most importantly, stay vigilant on how the government is handling this Covid-19 pandemic. Read the news. Don’t be apolitical. Take a stand. Don’t be afraid to speak. Your opinion matters. You are a part of this. Let’s not always check who viewed our Instagram stories. Let’s look inward deep down in our souls. Don’t try to seek elsewhere. Don’t look on a long distance. See what truly matters in your heart. Keep your loved ones close to you. Be aware of what’s happening in your surroundings.
Stay safe. Stay vigilant.