5 Things I've Come to Appreciate During COVID-19 - Brooke Allnut

• Rest- Prior to COVID-19 and self-quarantining, I hardly ever got enough sleep. I constantly kept myself busy with schoolwork and various extracurricular activities. I could never fully relax because I felt like I always had things to do. However, after the pandemic began, activities and commuting time was greatly reduced, so I had more free time on my hands. Since most of my classes were online, I was able to get more rest, which improved many aspects of my life, such as my mood and stress levels.

• Being in the moment- By nature, I am someone who likes to think ahead. This usually means that I am prepared for future events; however, it also means that I am often not fully present in the moment. I get excited for upcoming events, but once they are actually happening, I often fail to take the time to fully enjoy them. COVID-19 slowed down the pace of my life and made the future much more uncertain. This forced me to live more in the moment, and over time, I began to enjoy the little things in life. From folding the laundry and cleaning my room to reading a book and spending time with my family, I now try to do my best to enjoy each moment instead of mindlessly completing them and moving on to the next thing.

• Exercise- To be honest, I never thought I’d enjoy exercise. However, now exercise is a welcome break from sitting at a desk all day. Exercises such as yoga or walking outside help me to relax and refocus. Although it can be hard to find the motivation to start exercising, I always feel so much better after the workout.

• Human interaction- I always considered myself to be an introvert. I thoroughly enjoy spending time at home alone or with family. However, after human interaction became limited, I definitely began to miss it. I am grateful for social media and the role it plays in keeping people connected; however, I’m sure most people can agree it is not the same thing as in-person interaction. Once it is safe to start seeing people again, I definitely want to be more intentional about interacting with others.

• Other professions- I’ve never appreciated doctors, nurses, and the rest of the medical team as much as I do now. By taking care of and helping patients, they are putting themselves at great risk. However, non-medical professionals such as grocery store workers, retail workers, cashiers, and truck drivers are equally important, as they too put themselves at risk providing essential services. They definitely deserve appreciation and respect.

What are some things you’ve come to appreciate?