With Covid-19 uprooting our lives, there is an ongoing question that crosses every mind: so now what? What will happen to schools? What will happen to supplies? What will happen to relationships? What will we do with the next undisclosed amount of time? To each of those questions, there is an almost unanimous answer of “we don’t know”. That in and of itself seems more daunting than the questions to begin with.
Frozen II dived directly “Into the Unknown” and we watch the tiktoks revolving around questioning the abyss, but are we truly prepared to go into the unknown? It is a scary time for a lot of us. We seek advice from others and try our best to collect information that will bring us comfort.
Here is what we DO know:
We know that the whole world is trying to fight a pandemic.
We are seeing nations come together and the boundaries of politics, government, and religion breaking down so we can spread knowledge of the virus and its treatments. It is a rare occurrence to see so many people working together to fight one common enemy. It is especially rare knowing that they are doing so for the benefit of others.
We know that everybody is in the same boat.
It is easy to feel like someone out there has a better grasp as to what is going on or what can be done to fix the problem. The reality is that everyone is trying just as hard as you to figure it out, but some might be better at hiding it. Your friends, neighbors, or parents have not experienced anything like this before either. With that, it is okay to feel what you are feeling. There are days where it very well might feel like the end of the world and days that everything seems normal. Accept those feelings or talk it out with someone, but remember that it is completely okay to have an emotional response to a situation like this. It is new for everyone and that means that we are all going to figure it out together. Educators, employers, and the community in general will have to find new ways to get their job done, but we will all press forward and work it out.
There are still positives.
Whether it is a Facetime hangout with your best friend, a good do-nothing day, or a really productive walk in the sunshine, we have a great opportunity to enjoy the little things. There are no longer the same excuses of being too busy, not having time, or never being home. Now is the time to take advantage, try new things, and rebuild relationships that were breaking.
With everything going on, it is okay and normal to feel like you are surrounded by unknowns. That being said, this is the perfect time to define your own reality. Focus on what you know to be true. Make a schedule that works to balance everything that still needs to be done with everything that you now have an opportunity to do. Allow this to be a time to reach out to people (using social media or technology) and create a support system you trust. Surround yourself with things that bring you joy and move you further in life. Set goals and watch yourself succeed.
There are a lot of positives hidden in the news too. The dolphins swimming in Venice, neighborhoods decorating their houses and windows for families going for walks, and pets getting to spend time with their owners who typically work.
The last thing we know is that this pandemic will end.
The future is unknown, but the world has gone through some crazy things already and will continue to do so for the rest of time. Nobody knows what life will look like when this is all over, but I can almost guarantee that there will be a new drive for peace, community, togetherness, and love.
This is not easy, but it is not forever either. Hold on to see what great things are waiting for you on the other side. You can do this.
Author: Mickayla Bedenia, Social Worker student
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The team at Erika’s Lighthouse knows how challenging and difficult this transition is on our teens, educators, parents and others. We are here to help and support our young people. We have launched an exciting new campaign that will provide meaningful, practical resources for teens, educators and parents.