I don’t remember a lot from my middle school history class, but I do remember the Bubonic plague. I can still recall the horrifying documentary we were required to watch, those images of huge swollen bumps forever etched onto my mind. I could never imagine that just a few years later I would be living through our own modern-day version of a plague. Halfway through the second semester of my senior year, I went home for spring break and never went back. Quickly, the pandemic began to feel never-ending. Days blended into weeks and weeks blended into months until everything flowed together. I felt as though I was caught in some kind of hamster wheel. Soon I had to develop a routine, which I found out was the only way to survive the kind of strangeness that now pervaded my days. It was something to hold on to. To be honest, the key to my personal survival was Sabbath.
Before COVID-19, Sabbath was a bit of a burden. A day full of “don’ts”. Church felt like a drag and I would spend my afternoons sleeping off the lethargy that seemed to fill that day. But after COVID-19 (it’s funny that my whole life will likely be defined by before/after pandemic), I loved Sabbath. Wake up late. Watch church in my PJs. Eat biscuits and gravy with my family. Take a 2-hour nap. Watch another sermon. Read a book. Rest. I finally felt like I was resting. I read my way through the Narnia series. I realized I enjoyed color by number games on my phone, so I tried it out in real life. Suddenly I looked forward to the peace of Sabbath. It was the only thing that felt normal in this whole disaster.
So, how do you survive a pandemic?
Here’s what your classmates said when I sent them an anonymous survey:
“Learn a new hobby.”
“Carry your own hand sanitizer.”
“Wash your mask.”
“Don’t believe everything you hear.”
“Take your vitamins.”
“Learn something new every day.”
“Think about others.”
“Learn to enjoy your time alone.”
“Shower after you interact with people.”
“Stay connected with God & make sure to prioritize time with Him.”
“Stockpile supplies.”
“Invest in at-home entertainment.”
These are all great tips!
Some people picked up journaling as a way to help process the intense loneliness they were feeling. We are human, and physical touch is a cornerstone of how we interact. Social distancing can be hard, so allow yourself to feel those emotions and process them.
Although wearing a mask is how we help everyone to stay healthy, it’s hard not seeing faces, especially when meeting new people or connecting with friends. It can begin to feel like it’s just one more layer of yourself to hide from those around you. Try to open up to people you trust. Talk about how you feel, even if it’s through a phone screen over FaceTime.
Since the pandemic has redefined how we all process time, we can find ourselves spending way too much time on school or work. Remember to set boundaries for yourself. It’s okay to take a break from school to eat or talk to your roommate.
Lastly, be creative with this new normal. Find ways to hang out with your friends, but social distance style. Write that short story you’ve been putting off for years. Develop a new skill. Redesign your wardrobe and sell the things you don’t wear anymore on Depop. Watch a TV show you’ve never seen before. Try to see the pandemic as an adventure with many new things to discover–instead of a force holding you back from the things (and people) you love.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.