During these extremely uncertain times, even when the sky feels like it is falling on your head, it is helpful to have some perspective and realize that you are not alone. Around the globe, billions of people are having to cut corners and adapt to this new, fear-filled world we are currently living in. Although that thought can feel overwhelming, it has helped me be constructive. I know that I am not the only senior missing prom, and graduation. I know that I am not the only child missing a parent who is unable to visit. I know that I am not the only person who is stuck at home driving their mom crazy. Knowing that, there is absolutely no reason for any of us to mope around on our couches all day feeling sorry for ourselves. On top of that, we must realize there are millions of people who are feeling much more strain and pressure than you during this time. Enjoy and appreciate the things you do have and the things you can do because, regrettably, things may not be changing anytime soon.

It is all in our best interest to become glass half full kind of people. There is no reason for you to allow yourself to focus on the bad and feel sorry for yourself when there is so much good around you that you are choosing to ignore. You are only doing yourself and those around you a disservice if you decide to give in to the grump. This is not meant to be a lecture on mental toughness, just a friendly reminder that we all have the power to choose to be happy, trust me, I read it in a book. Personally, I have not been able to see my father in almost three months, the most prolonged period in my entire life. Instead of focusing on that, I choose to notice how much time I have to play the piano, workout, and learn how to knit. Fortunately, as a senior, my high school career was wrapping up by the time Covid-19 came around anyways, but finishing it at home has certainly been tough. Things like prom, the last day of high school, and graduation, are all things I will never get to experience, but that is okay. I don’t need those things to feel complete. While they would have certainly been fun, according to the many last days, proms, and graduations I have seen portrayed in movies, my life will continue.

Moving forward, I think this whole experience has given me a great deal of patience, thankfulness, and happiness as I have been able to realize just how trivial so many of my qualms and worries have been in the past. Life may never be the same, and along with many other people, I may become a bit of a germaphobe after this is all said and done, but I have played more piano than I have in years, I have started working out and taking care of myself, and every morning I make my bed before I do anything else because it starts my day off right. These are just a few of the positive changes I have made in my life because of the circumstances. They are changes that have helped me for the better, and without them, I would not be as happy as I am now. I know there are many inconveniences we now live with, but instead if being annoyed we should focus on how amazing the many people working day and night are to help us adapt to those new inconveniences. There are two sides to every coin, and if we all choose to focus on and promote the side that makes us smile, we may get through this after all.