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Even though the world is gradually going back to the way it was before the covid-19 haze, the impact of Covid-19 on individual well-being and community bonding is still lurking. Regrouping after covid-19 has been one of the most challenging things to do this year — all the time spent in isolation and worry has taken a toll on my perception of self. I’ve lost touch with many things in my life: I have become very time-sensitive and have needed to find grounding quite often. But that is not to say I am not happy the world is coming back together; it is just that the world was running too fast, and when it changed suddenly, things started bumping into one another, creating illusions that affected the world self. As a coping mechanism, I have learned new and revisited my old hobbies. Below, I have listed five activities that have helped me find grounding while dealing with post-covid-19 anxiety.
Journaling
Journaling was re-introduced to me by a friend a couple of months ago, and I have found it a very positive way to look at myself without being too strict. It is like a more polished version of keeping a diary. I start by recounting the day's events and new happenings. Journaling has helped me to notice patterns and what changes each day. Journaling has not only helped me appreciate every day, but it has also given me a safe space to vent without judgment. If interested in journaling, I recommend this guide for beginners.
2. Reading
With schoolwork and campus jobs, I barely get any time to read outside the scope of academic papers, but I recently resumed reading for fun. I am currently reading Homegoing, a novel that provides different historical traces of slavery and its ties to the institution of family in Ghana, written by Yaa Gyasi. Aside from reading novels, I have discovered that blog posts are insightful, and reading them is an engaging way to catch up. Medium has a wide variety of writers who write poetry, analytical essays, and basically everything there is to write about, so aside from books and blog posts, I have used medium extensively to get some reading done. Reading has been a positive distraction because it teaches me new things about life in very obscure ways that don’t take me back or lead me into thinking about things beyond my control.
3. Cooking
I have always loved cooking, but being in isolation has added a different value to cooking for me! I love coming up with my recipes because it keeps me busy and uses other parts of my brain. I enjoy cooking for my friends and receiving their feedback. When I have time on my hands, I prefer making something a little creative to release stress and explore. As studies have shown, cooking helps one relax and be happy, and it is true. I love the happiness cooing brings me.
Even if what I make doesn't turn out the way I wanted, I always enjoy the time I spent making them. I have found cooking very therapeutic: it has taught e patience in addition to helping me find new ways to connect with people.
4. Spending Time With And Getting To Know People
Spending all that time in isolation made me use social media a lot, and even though it wasn’t an answer to all, I made many friendships over the internet. I have gained penpals whom I talk to sometimes, and I must admit — there is something quite special about bonding with someone I have never met in person. We met through sharing similar interests like dance and writing on social media, but they have been very supportive, open, and understanding. Hearing their opinions on different issues has been very eye-opening because they live in various parts of the world with different cultures and identities. My family and friends have been central to my search for grounding post-covid-19. Through their counsel, I have learned to deal with new problems and have given my perspective when needed. Being connected to different people has given me solace because it reminds me that I am a part of something bigger and perhaps better.
5. Writing
I love writing in every form possible; while in isolation, I worked on some of my uncompleted stories. This summer, I am writing for The Blak Lotus as an intern, and I find the experience very cathartic so far. I love researching and putting my findings into a piece that people can learn from and relate to. Writing personal narratives have improved the ways I communicate, especially to an online audience. Writing has also given me alternate ways to deal with anxiety, stress, and boredom. Journaling is personal, but I contribute to someone's learning by writing and putting it out (online).
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