The virus of 2020 has took a hit to many peoples lives in one way or another. Some of us have been affected financially, some medically and others mentally. As we continue to progress through this challenging period, it is easy to become discouraged. Many of us have gone through the array of emotions beginning with confusion, passing through worry and fear and maybe even landing among anger. Despite how this has affected you, it is important to take Covid-19, and the adversities it comes with, day by day.

Although the thought of taking everything in stride is easier said than done at times, and I know we are all beginning to struggle with cabin fever, some worse than others, try to keep your mind occupied with happier and more calming thoughts. It is easy for us to sit and dwell on the things we are upset about while being in isolation from family, friends and co-workers. It is easy to complain about the concert that got cancelled or the sporting events we aren't getting to watch. It is easy to be sad about graduation plans changing and missing out on some of those senior year moments. To that I say, take a moment. Take the time you need to be upset and to feel those emotions. Then, collect yourself and challenge your mind to take the opposite direction of thinking.

Use this event as a time of self realization. Take time to enjoy the things you typically have little time for. Learn what things are truly important in your life. This is a great opportunity to gain some perspective for yourself and your surrounding world. It is also a great chance to get excited for the future. Think about all of the things you are most excited for post pandemic. This might make current circumstances a little more bearable in the meant time. With the ability to slow down in life, weather you want to or not, it allows for much time of thinking (if you're an over thinker like me, this might be a bit daunting, but I swear it can be just as fun and creative too).

While in the thick of the unforeseen; isolation social distancing, quarantining, I thought it would be a great time to make note of this experience. If you are feeling overwhelmed, angry, sad or any other way about the current state of the world and how it has affected your life, I encourage you to make a note of that. Weather this be a mental note or written out, try to remember how this time has made you feel. Think about what you miss and what you look forward to when this is over. Most importantly, remember to look back on this some day. When we are all months into being back to our normal lives try to pause. Don't lose sight of just how wonderful simply being around others is and just how grateful we are for our health and abilities to socialize once again. Live in a state of mindfulness and awareness to all of the little things we once may have taken for granted before this trying time. Most of all, be kind to one another during the hard times such as now and during the peaceful times that we WILL see in the future.

With that, I'll leave you with this; stay healthy, stay happy, stay compassionate. We will get through this, together.