Positive Outcomes of Quarantine
Although quaratine was stressful for a lot of us, I would like to reflect on the positives that wouldn’t have occurred without being stuck at home.
About two and a half months ago, I started working from home due to a stay at home order set by Minnesota. Since this time, like most all people in the world, I have been spending a majority of my time at home. The only times I get out are for a walk each day, or a trip to the grocery store (which also got scarce because of being able to order groceries). Like any travel blog, I love to travel and as I mentioned in my last blog, I have had to cancel a few flights already due to the virus. With as much negative talk that has occurred due to the coronavirus and the anxiety this has caused many of us, I would love to reflect on some of the positives that wouldn’t have happened without being quarantined.
1. Connecting more with family members
It was really sad for me starting quarantine knowing I wouldn’t be able to see my family as much, because they are my favorite people. However, one of my brothers, Josh, decided to set up happy hour calls weekly for us all to chat on. I felt like I was able to get closer to my family members during this time, and I looked forward to seeing their smiling faces each week! We were also able to play fun games together and this created a lot of great laughs. Our extended family also did a call on Easter and were able to do our family tradition of cracking eggs virtually this year. I am thankful to have these people in my life and I will never forget being able to have these calls with them.
2. Slowing down and focusing on myself
I feel like life was moving so fast. Like many of us, we get stuck in the daily routine and sometimes forget to stop and enjoy the moments. Quarantine slowed time down, and being home, I have been able to realize the important things and forget a lot about the material things. Further, not having the normal tv shows or sports gave me time to focus on other things as well. I also have been able to focus on myself more, and I had a lot of puzzle time that gave me time to think about all this! :) I am thankful for this time to be able to grow as a person.
3. Keeping my job and gaining a greater perspective about others around me
I am so fortunate that during this troubling time, I was able to keep my job and did not have a pay cut. I didn’t have to worry once about losing my job, because my company kept insuring us we did not have to worry about losing our jobs. Another thing I am so fortunate for, as mentioned earlier, is I was able to get groceries delivered. I feel for people who had to worry about where their next meal came from, or about looking for a job during a time of company layoffs. I have always wanted to help people in some way, but now I have an even stronger urge to help immediately and see what I can do to get people back on their feet. I want to turn the ability to be keep my job, into some sort of positive for someone else who wasn’t able to keep theirs. I am thankful for this new perspective.
4. Trying new recipes and making lots of good food
One of my favorite things I was able to do during quarantine was cook a lot more. Eliminating my driving time from work gave me more time to be able to cook right after work and I really sought out to try out new things. One of my favorite things I found was diary-free mac and cheese. I am lactose intolerant and this cashew mac makes the pasta still seem cheesy and is so delicious. I have made it three times now! I am thankful for cooking as it has allowed me to relieve some stress from the craziness of what was going on in the world.
5. Getting closer with my boyfriend
My boyfriend and I have gotten to know so much about each other, even before the quarantine, but it has helped us get even closer. There are certain difficult things that happen in your life that bring you closer to people, and I am thankful to have gotten even closer to Vince. A few people have asked if we have gotten annoyed or sick of each other yet, and of course there are always a few tired moments where there may be a little bit of bicker, and luckily because of our special relationship, we are able to say no. It may have taken all of quarantine, but Vince has finally come to terms that I am always right... kidding, Vince! I am thankful for being able to spend quarantine with my boyfriend. Without him, it would have been so different.
Although at first, I got consumed in the social media of the virus, I was able to slow down and begin to focus on the things that are truly important to me. I have spent less and less time mindlessly scrolling through social media, but instead focusing on things that make me happy. I am thankful for all the things above that have changed for me during quarantine. I feel I am truly a better person, so thank you quarantine.
I would love to hear your quarantine experience! Do you have a fun trip in mind once you are finally able to? Reach out and let me know! :)