Having a "Half-full" Mindset In The Midst of a Pandemic

Covid-19 is something that the more we live, the more casual it becomes, this being until you or a loved one gets it. You do all the things you’re supposed to like wearing your mask and social distancing but you do it so much you almost forget why you do it in the first place. This was me 10 days ago. One minute I’m living my college life as normal at my dorm at school and the next thing I know I’m getting a call from the on-campus health clinic telling me that I have to be quarantined until further notice. As I said, I’ve known covid was a thing but when it affects you or the close friends around you that’s when it really sinks in. So, I grabbed my backpack and stuffed it with whatever was at the top of my clean clothes pile, threw in my toothbrush, and headed home to Shreveport, LA to start my quarantine. Long story short, I had been exposed through a friend but truly wasn’t even around her much at all and I thought I was for sure in the clear. Two days into my quarantine I knew those thoughts of dodging the virus were out of the question. I felt like I had been hit by a bus and more than once. Next thing I know I’m testing positive for covid and extending my quarantine to a grand total of 10 days when it was over. The unimagined and unexpected became a reality. 10 days of almost complete isolation was 10 days I’d prefer not to relive in my lifetime.

At times it truly was miserable, but thankfully God has blessed me with a “Half-full” mindset in most situations and because of that I was able to somehow take away some good from a pretty sucky situation. It's easy as a college student to be consumed by busyness and if you aren't careful it can quickly become something you idolize. This is something that I became very aware of when forced to sit with my thoughts with nothing to do. Productivity is great but when it becomes something we put before everything else a problem arises. Finding the balance between the busy and rest is something that truly is tricky but when achieved can make all the difference. It’s okay to take a nap if you want to or to sit down and watch an episode of your favorite show. Things will still get done if you decide to do this. Take time for yourself and never forget that you are allowed to rest. This is something that I still have to remind myself of often but when done it makes all the difference.