Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Adulting

I Spent My 20th Birthday In Quarantine And Here Are 5 Reasons Why I Loved It

It actually turned out to be one of the best birthdays I ever had.

Isabelle Panza

Apr 20, 2020

The State University of New York at Stony Brook

I Spent My 20th Birthday In Quarantine And Here Are 5 Reasons Why I Loved It

Isabelle Panza

Like most people, when I pictured my 20th birthday, I pictured it big. Big dinner with family and a big night out with friends. I looked forward to getting a new outfit just for that night and doing my hair and makeup for hours. And for me, 20 is a huge birthday because it means I'm no longer a teen. I really thought it would be an insanely fun day with all my friends and family. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, and taking social distancing seriously, that dream of a big birthday was crushed. Honestly, I thought it would be a terrible birthday and I even thought I would be sad all day. But it actually turned out to be one of the best birthdays I ever had, for so many reasons!

So many people reached out

Giphy

Every birthday people get text messages from family members and relatively close friends. But for some reason with this birthday, a ton of people who I haven't spoken to in years reached out with birthday wishes! Some even citing that they felt terrible that I had to be under quarantine for my birthday and others saying they had to celebrate heir birthday under quarantine as well. It made me feel so special and like I'm not in this alone!

I found a new love for picnics

Giphy

I love the outdoors but I always found picnics annoying when I was little because the wind would somehow always manage to fling all the food and napkins everywhere but my mouth. I "gave up," on picnics when I was fifteen because I despised them (Yes, I am very dramatic). But since all restaurants were closed and doing only curbside pick up, I had no choice but to have lunch outdoors. And now... I have a new profound love (again, I'm dramatic)! Yes, the napkins still tried to fly everywhere but there was something really calming about being in the outdoors.

I still got to do my hair and makeup

Giphy

Even though the only people that were seeing me that day were my immediate family and boyfriend, I figured I still could try to look good. It was actually really nice to be able to do my hair and makeup and put on a relatively cute outfit that didn't consist of sweatpants. It also made me realize that I don't need an excuse like a birthday to do my hair and makeup to make me feel good. So now twice a week I make sure to put on makeup just to make myself feel a little less plain.

I ate everything I wanted...

Giphy

Believe it or not on my birthday I usually only eat a dinner that I love and a little birthday cake because I usually spend the night with my friends and don't want to be bloated. But now with no one seeing me, I had free range. And let me tell you out was incredible.

It made me realize whats really important in life

Giphy

I spent my birthday surrounded by people who really loved me. No, my birthday wasn't what I expected, but my family went all out! Seeing how much effort they put into making my day special made me realize that at the end of the day the people that matter most are family. And how can I ever regret spending my birthday with them?

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Entertainment

25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

SUNY Binghamton

35126

Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less

best beatles lyrics

Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College

98448

college students waiting in a long line in the hallway

StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

waitlisted

Recommended for you

I Spent My 20th Birthday In Quarantine And Here Are 5 Reasons Why I Loved It

It actually turned out to be one of the best birthdays I ever had.

So many people reached out

I found a new love for picnics

I still got to do my hair and makeup

I ate everything I wanted...

It made me realize whats really important in life

Subscribe to our Newsletter

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Best of Adulting

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments

Subscribe to our
Newsletter