Last week Hurricane Matthew hit my city, causing absolute chaos and devastation. Many people lost everything. I was lucky. I only lost power.

For the past week, my building was the only one remaining without power in my neighborhood. Oddly enough, I am so thankful for it. The storm’s impact on my life and losing power redirected my attention to what is truly important.

Before the storm hit, I was so hyperfocused on my responsibilities and the stressors in my life. Days at work and school drained me. I was having such a difficult time appreciating what was in front of me.

Hurricane Matthew served as a bold reminder of how minuscule some of our daily stressors are in the grand scheme of life. Worrying about the safety of my friends and community dominated my thoughts. For a few days, I found myself compulsively re-checking social media to ensure everyone’s safety. Worries about finances and doing well in school became completely meaningless compared to the fear of losing loved ones, and the concern about the state of my community after the storm.

Returning to a powerless home made me realize how many things in my life I take for granted. Simply having immediate access to clean drinking water, the ability to safely cook and store food, and being able to completely brighten my home at night at the flick of a switch, are things I didn’t think twice about. Typical routines in my daily life became a bit more complicated and called for a bit more creativity.

Without power, it forced me to be present. With widespread damage, my priorities became clear.