I discovered methods to maintain myself busy like binge-watching each TV present and film, occurring bike rides and baking, however spending most of my time on social media. I by no means felt dangerously bored or like I used to be going “insane” from not with the ability to exit, however nonetheless I made myself comfy with dwelling vicariously by way of my favourite social media influencers. Watching each video of them going to events or on trip or simply speaking helped me really feel not so alone. However, what I didn’t know was on the identical time, I used to be letting societal norms take over my thoughts and management my each transfer. I began to imagine that if I wasn’t precisely like these influencers or “excellent” folks, nobody would really like me. In fact I wasn’t like these influencers and I didn’t have every thing they’d, so I attempted my greatest to push down what I got here to imagine had been the worst elements of me. After we went again to highschool, I restricted myself from being who I really was as a result of I satisfied myself that I couldn’t be sufficient, and I undoubtedly didn’t need folks to see that I wasn’t sufficient. So whereas Covid-19 didn’t affect me straight, it compelled me to stay in my head, and it took a very long time for me to learn to get out of my head.
Should you noticed an image of wherever on the planet 5 years earlier than Covid, after which 5 years after, you’d more than likely not be capable to inform the distinction. Now it’s possible you’ll be asking your self, “How did it change then?” I’ll provide you with one phrase: folks. People aren’t the identical. That is probably the most prevalent in youngsters. Particularly these of their KEY improvement years. Earlier than the pandemic, children would sit up for the weekend. They’d take into consideration all of the enjoyable locations they’d go, they’d think about how a lot enjoyable they’d have doing these issues. Through the week they’d spend time with their household, enjoying video games with buddies, and interacting with folks of their life daily. However then the world shut down. Youngsters obtained used to staying at house. When children are actually younger, they like copying every thing they see. That’s how they study. In the event that they see all these folks at house, bored, scrolling on their telephones, that’s what the little children are going to wish to do. They’re going to develop into adults with the identical hobbies. They’ll have children, who in flip, will copy their dad and mom. It’s an infinite cycle. One way or the other, we have to break that cycle. This goes for everybody. I don’t understand how, however I believe we will all agree that regardless of your age, life has modified. We have to change.
— Tristan, Glenbard West HS, Glen Ellyn, IL
However others mentioned the lockdowns made them extra impartial in a great way.
I’d be mendacity if I mentioned Covid didn’t change me. Essentially the most vital attribute about myself that stood out after Covid was my change of perspective towards independence and reliance on others. Pre-Covid, I had observed that I always hated being left alone and I surrounded myself with buddies 24/7. I hated being alone and I hated the sensation of “loneliness.” After Covid, I observed my perspective towards that had modified. Whereas I’m not positive if it additionally correlated to me changing into general extra mature, or not, I observed that I started loving my alone time. Whether or not that was night time or faculty, simply staying house and enjoyable or in the course of the day on a weekend, I discover a change in what the norm for me was. As a substitute of texting my buddies to return buying with me or going to Starbucks and Goal, I’ve realized that I now get pleasure from doing these hobbies alone. Not directly, it’s a method for me to disconnect from the world round me and do what I like on my own. Though I nonetheless have love for my buddies and being with them, I’ve realized typically it’s okay to be alone and remoted whereas doing what you like. I encourage folks round me to attempt the identical issues!
— GG, New Rochelle Excessive College
Covid modified my life for the higher … I believe? I used to be in seventh grade when lockdown first occurred. I used to be really petrified of going exterior as a result of I used to be so frightened of the unknown. Staying at house and avoiding the general public actually offers you plenty of time to simply suppose. Being by ourselves on a regular basis “ … turned us into hyper-individuals.” I began to considerably get extra impartial from being away from everybody, and I began attempting new kinds as a result of I didn’t have to fret about being judged by the opposite children round me. Whereas center faculty is already an enormous scary time of change, I made it an additional large precedence to give attention to myself and steer clear of all of the judgment and drama round me.
Covid modified me in methods I didn’t anticipate. Actually, I sort of appreciated it when every thing shut down. No extra compelled small speak, no awkward social conditions — simply me, my area, and my very own time. It was good not having to always be round folks. I might give attention to issues I truly loved with out the strain of at all times being “on.” In fact, it wasn’t all nice, however I believe it made me understand how a lot I worth alone time. Now, though issues are again to regular, I’m extra conscious of how a lot socializing drains me, and I prioritize my very own peace extra.
