Quaranthings: Top 5 lessons quarantine has taught you

Mitzi Santos

May 22, 2020

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  2020 may have been the biggest scam of the year. Everyone looked forward to 2020 to be their “best year,” well, joke’s on you, guys!

  This pandemic has put your whole life in pause. You were asked to just stay at home and practice physical distancing. Your home turned into your new workstation. What used to be your weekly routine with friends turned to virtual habits.

  Having all these sorts of things make it hard for everyone to focus on what is essential. Quarantine has become the perfect time to learn, discover, and self-reflect.

  What have you learned this quarantine?

  Not all heroes wear cape

  Everyone was forced to stay at home except for the frontliners. They are the ones in the medical field, the ones manning the checkpoints, and of course, those who serve us daily like the cashiers, delivery guys, security guards, reporters, chefs, and everyone else who brave the pandemic just to serve their country and their kababayans. Little did we know, these people who we used to neglect will be the most essential people during this pandemic. Without them, how can we get through each day on our own? Show a little appreciation and kindness whenever you meet one in the outside world.

  Health is wealth

  Aside from wearing surgical masks and proper hand washing, boosting your immune system should be on top of your priority. Having a strong immune system is your number one shield against coronavirus. Apart from taking care of yourself physically, don’t forget to look after your mental health because this pandemic can take a big toll on your mental health if it’s taken for granted. Find time to veer away from news every once in a while and find time to relax and chill. Take things slowly.

  Widen your perspective in life

  Life is not just about your work, Friday night outs, money, and leisure. There is more to life than all those things our lives used to revolve around. After staying at home for more than 60 days already, we realized that everyone can live without milk tea, monthly gym membership, weekly night outs and the like. We now spend more time with our family and enjoying the simplest things that are available in our respective homes. We learned to appreciate the little things like keeping the members of your family healthy and safe from COVID-19, and of course having roofs above our heads and of course, meals to consume.

  Nobody has the same quarantine experience

  Quarantine hits different on people depending on their social status. For some, they only think about how to ease their boredom and what next series to binge watch while for those who live under difficult circumstances, they already are trying hard to put food on their tables during these trying times. They struggle every day to find enough funds to buy their next meal and live day-to-day. There are some who can’t afford to just stay at home because they live on a no-work-no-pay basis. If they don’t have work to sustain them, they now wait for the government’s donation to get through the day. Next time you try to complain about your comfortable lifestyle, think of those who are living under difficult circumstances. Always check your privilege.

  Life is short

  Treat every moment as if it’s your last. Don’t take everything that you have for granted: your family, friends, job, and freedom. You’ll never know when all these will be gone. Be grateful for all the things even if it’s just as simple as waking up in the morning, getting to spend every minute with your family, and doing your job that’s helping you earn in this time of pandemic. Reach out to those you have neglected. It’s never too late.

  Covid-19 is a test of character. This pandemic revealed everyone’s true identity in facing a pandemic. Your quarantine doesn’t really have to be as productive as anyone. Live in your own pace. Take care of yourself and look after one another. This will soon be over but for now, learn how to adjust to the new normal. Apparently, it will take a little longer for us to get back to our normal lives and that is if we still have a normal life to get back to.

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