While quarantine has definitely had its challenges, there are certain aspects of my new day-to-day that I want to carry with me past this. Here are a few resolutions for when life opens back up:
Spend more time alone
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I've been spending quite a lot of time alone. Social distancing, people! However, before quarantine, I was rarely alone. I liked to surround myself with friends and family whenever I could. Even though I would consider myself an extrovert and thrive off of being around others, I have realized that I, too, need alone time. I have never given myself much time for reflection. And maybe right now I've had a little bit too much time for reflection. But, nonetheless, spending more time alone has allowed better know myself and find ways that I can improve.
Back to School Resolution #1: Take time for yourself, it's important.
Show more appreciation towards my family
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I am very fortunate that I am close with my family. One of the aspects of quarantine that I am most grateful for is being able to spend more quality time with my family. Being at home 24/7 has also reminded me of the monumental role my family plays in my life and how much we each do for each other on a daily basis. Living at school, I often found myself consumed in my own life. I would let a week go by without calling or texting my parents or brother. Even though we are far apart, it is important to remember how important my family is to my life and well being.
Back to School Resolution #2: Call your family more often and show them more love!
Travel more
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The obvious. I miss traveling. Having a ban on being able to leave your country really makes you want to leave your country. Funny, isn't it? Not much else to say on this one.
Back to School Resolution #3: Save that money and buy a plane ticket literally anywhere when you have the chance.
Make time for hobbies
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It may be more by force than choice, but quarantine has given me the awesome opportunity to start up my hobbies again. With transitioning to college and managing school work, it was easy to let the things that made me happy fall to the waistline. I pushed things like reading in my free time, playing guitar, or going surfing to the side because I told myself I "didn't have time". The truth was, I wasn't making time. When I wasn't going to class or doing school work I would hang out in my friends dorms or watch tv. Often times, I felt unfulfilled and like my day-to-day was a bit mundane. Making time to do the things that bring me joy will keep me grounded and restore a sense of fulfillment.
Back to School Resolution #4: Quit the bullshit and set aside 30 min-1 hr a day to focus on one of your hobbies.
Stop buying clothes
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After wearing only sweatpants and hoodies for the past 10 weeks, the hoard of cute jeans and crop tops in my closet seem a little unnecessary. Do I really need three different black skirts? There becomes a point when another sweater is too many sweaters. When I think back to being a broke college student (who was actually at college), it becomes pretty easy to connect the dots. I would make money and immediately spend it on clothes. Yes, that, my friends, is how you become and stay broke. But, knowing myself, I am not just going to stop buying clothes. So, this may sound silly, but I have come up with a compromise for myself:
Back to School Resolution #5: Every time you buy something, you sell or give something away.
