Why Covid Was The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me

The rollercoaster the pandemic took me on and how it led to beneficial changes in my life.

At first, everyone thought the effects of the Covid-19 spread would be temporary, lasting a few weeks or a month at the most. After months that turned into years, the pandemic changed much more in people's lives than just a temporary setback. For me, it started as a setback but transformed into the start of my emergence into adulthood and personal growth.

Getting Sent Home From College

I was a freshman in college when Covid hit, and we got sent home. It was right after I had finally begun to acclimate to college life, or so I thought. During my freshman year, I struggled with homesickness, my new class schedule and the free timeI thought I had, finding the right friends, and other aspects of college life.

Feeling Down

All my newfound freedom was taken away when I was sent home and confined indoors. As much as I love my alone time, I thrive off social settings. The pandemic changed such a setting to over a screen, which I struggled with. It started with a combination of unhelpful coping mechanisms then grew to the point where I couldn't get myself up off my couch. That's when I scared myself into changing.

Walks

Movement is key. Initially, Covid kicked me on the couch and I got stuck there for a while. One of my favorite outdoor activities has always been hiking, and as the weather got warmer, that was something I could still do regardless of the pandemic. So I did, and it changed everything. I started going on long walks as much as I could! The consistent movement changed my mood, my appearance (due to fat loss), my energy levels, and my mindset.

Your movement may look different, and that's perfectly fine! Do whatever movement works best for your mind and body. Mine just happens to be walking. I will look at different types of movement and each one's benefits in a future blog post.

Starting Something New

New Job

This was the point at which I accepted the fact that the pandemic was going to last a while, so I might as well use the time to earn money to pay for college. I started working and worked as much as I could, picking up shifts people had dropped, working holidays, you name it. I needed something to occupy my time and focus on.

New Relationship

I started dating someone new when summer had begun, which opened up the possibilities for activities since we were able to socially distance outside doing activities such as camping, fishing, boating, or hiking. It was my first "adult" relationship and a taste of the freedom I had in college again. That taste of freedom and exploration made me feel like myself again, excited about life and adventurous. These experiences helped me to re-evaluate my previous mindset and set myself up for success transitioning back into a college setting.

New Habits/Coping Mechanisms

I re-evaluated my current coping mechanisms and worked to transform them into something healthier and beneficial for my future. I began taking daily walks, listening to podcasts, and learning more about my health. The side effect of my new habits was escaping my depressive episode, losing my freshman 15 weight, and refreshing my mind.

My Etsy Shop @Craftivated.k

Covid gave me unlimited time to create, and so I did. I have always loved crafting, but this gave me the time to go bigger and make them better! My Dad took down my childhood swing set, which I repurposed the wood into the base for my hand-painted signs. I also experimented with creating new crafts, such as candles, different types of jewelry, letter decorations, coasters, and more. I decided creating an Etsy shop would be a good side hustle since I was making all these projects anyways!

Unfortunately, I did close my shop when I returned to school because I didn't have room to store my items in my dorm, and commuting for each order was something I didn't have the time to do with all my schoolwork. I hope to open my shop running again before this summer ends, so stay tuned on my social media pages or subscribe to emails for updates!

Returning to School

Although different, I was able to go back to school. We were left confined to our dorms, taking online classes, and required to have weekly covid testing. It still had its ups and downs. I thought I had covid and got sent home during the week of my birthday. I spend my 20th birthday alone at my house taking an online test. On the flip side, I joined my sorority, where I met my best friends. I also later become both Vice President and President during my time there.

Overall

Covid helped me turn my life around for the better. The regulations that the pandemic offered me time to reflect on and adapt accordingly. Although it has been the most challenging time I have experienced thus far in my life, it has been the most rewarding due to the vast amount of growth I was able to introduce to myself and my life.

How Did the Pandemic Benefit You?

I would love to hear about your story! How did the changes during the pandemic change you and your life? DM me on my social media or message me on my website.