If you are reading this in 2020, you understand the title of this post perfectly. We are currently going through a global pandemic with the outbreak of a new Coronavirus, COVID-19. Times have been tough and trying for many, including myself, as we grapple with uncertainty, confusion, anger, fear and sadness. While there have been and continue to be many reasons to feel negative, I’ve decided to share my positive view: how to see the good in quarantine.
Restrictions during the last 8 months have waivered and with them, my feelings. I’ve gone between feeling optimistic and feeling frustrated with almost a daily frequency. One thing that has helped me balance my rollercoaster of emotions is to journal and remind myself of what I’m grateful for.
I am a list-maker. A few months ago I made a list of all the good things I appreciated and found positive about the quarantine time. While my experience is certainly much different than yours, I am sharing this list today with the hope that it will help you, too, see the good in quarantine. I pray that my list sparks some gratitude in you for some of the positive things you may not have seen.
Good Things About Quarantine
- More time with family: We’ve done virtual college visits together, outdoor hikes, family walks, game nights, family dinners, movie marathons, church mornings together from home and so many talks. Many of these things wouldn’t normally happen as much with our busy schedules of events, school, sports and work.
- Slower pace – no schedule: fewer places to go means we move at a slower pace and have more margin in our lives.
- Working from home: No more traffic, less money on gas and a more flexible schedule. I’m also able to be home with my kids and my dog.
- Work was more interesting: While this is probably not true for most, my work is in research and has been focused on COVID-19 during this time. It has been interesting to be a part of the research of the disease and vaccine development and it feels good to be part of the solution.
- Connection with others: While connections and relationships have been generally more difficult due to in-person time being limited, I have noticed a greater intentionality for connection. I appreciate the effort that many have made to keep connections alive through creative ways like zoom, text, video calls and phone calls.
- Spending less money: With fewer options of things to do, places to eat and places to go, we have spent less money during this time. (Of course this is incredibly bad for the economy and businesses, but I am keeping it positive here and focusing on our personal budget).
- Exercising more: I’ve had more time to do online workouts at home and more opportunities for outdoor exercise. The happiest recipient of this? Our dog, who has gotten more walks than ever before.
- Less pressure to impress: Since I am not dressing up for work or going out, I care less about what I look like and feel less pressure to impress others. Even having people over to our house less has meant a more casual attitude about the state of our home. Of course there is a fine line to walk with both of these attitudes, I’ve appreciated the feeling of less pressure on myself.
- Seeing neighbors and families out: I’ve loved seeing so many neighbors out walking and working in their yards. I’ve also loved seeing so many families outside doing things together. With many parents and kids home during this time, it’s heartwarming to see them out and enjoying time together.
- Getting projects done: With more time at home and fewer things on my calendar, I’ve been able to work on so many home projects. For instance, I’ve done some painting, finished some photo books, organized rooms and cabinets and made changes to the yard. So many things that were put on the back burner are finally being checked off the to-do list!
- Enjoyed cooking more: Due mostly to force, with restaurants closed and the family home more, I’ve found myself doing more cooking than ever. Luckily, cooking is something that I enjoyed as a hobby long before quarantine. However, with a more laid-back schedule and more people around to enjoy the meals, I’ve renewed my joy in cooking. Turning on some music and having a good glass of wine while cooking has helped too.
- Time for personal hobbies: One of the fun ways I’ve seen good in quarantine is the time I’ve had for my personal hobbies. I’ve enjoyed playing piano, doing jigsaw puzzles, exercising, reading, writing and watching movies. I’m thankful for the time to enjoy these and the lack of other options that has given me the nudge toward my personal hobbies.
- Greater flexibility: This is a unique time when many people’s work and social calendars, including my own, are markedly more open. I’ve enjoyed the greater flexibility that this allows and my decreased reliance on a schedule.
- Greater appreciation: There are so many things that I miss and so many things that have been taken away from me. I know I am not alone in this. However, the upside that I’ve discovered is a greater appreciation for the things I took for granted. I will look at things differently when I know what it’s like not to have them.
- Deep discussions: So many of our relationships take place on a surface level. We discuss things like people and things instead of ideas. What I’ve appreciated during this quarantine time is the depth of discussions I’ve been a part of. We have a common cause in fighting this virus. We are all going through an experience that is unique to our time and impacts all of us greatly. The discussions taking place during this time about what really matters to us and about our feelings are good because they bring us to a deeper level of intimacy.
Can You See the Good in Quarantine?
Seeing the good in a challenging time like the one we are going through is a skill. It is intentional and it often takes work. I know that the list of hardships can be just as long, or longer, for many. I don’t ignore the negative, but I know it is so helpful to look for the positives. My hope is that this list will inspire you to look for the good around you. At the very least, I hope that you see this as an example of how to choose to see good. After all, everyday is not good but there is something good in everyday.
Challenge for this week:
Take the time to make a list. Write down things you are grateful for during this time of quarantine and restrictions. This unique period of history will not last forever. We choose how we view this experience and I encourage you to view the good and make the most of it.