Coping with Corona
2020 has been an unprecedented year, to say the absolute least. A mere three months in and it seems as if the entire globe has taken an unexpected pause due to the Coronavirus. The world as we knew it now ceases to be, and aspects of life we undoubtedly took for granted, such as enjoying a dinner at a restaurant or simply seeing our friends and loved ones in person, are remnants of the past.
Millions of Americans have found themselves confined within the walls of their homes for the past month or so, left with only their families for company. While that alone is an adjustment, individuals have also discovered the unpleasant truth that television and mindless scrolling on social media quickly become boring.
An extreme lack of mental stimuli and responsibilities, combined with an extreme excess of time, have driven people to seek out and try new hobbies.
In this strange time, all public or social places have been deemed off-limits, so taking up an activity like bowling during quarantine is out. Creative ventures, such as painting and drawing, while perfectly plausible, are not the cheapest or quickest choice. And, there’s only so much realistic cooking and baking an individual can do and still be considered sane.
Truth be told, the options are incredibly limited. People, for the first time in a long time, are being forced to turn to the great outdoors for their entertainment. Members of our very own UT community are taking advantage of this time to reconnect with the beautiful planet around us. They have found themselves turning to outside activities not only for entertainment, but for rejuvenation and as a coping mechanism.
Freshman Maryam Said had to return spur of the moment to her home back in Pakistan. Her world became slightly off-kilter, and there were plenty of aspects of life she had to quickly adjust to in the hecticness. Said wanted to find a new activity that would occupy her time, as well as calm the waves of uncertainty that seem to wash over us all during this season.
“I’ve never had much of an affinity for art, so I turned to gardening,” Said remarked. “Going outside and quietly, gently interacting with nature is not only hopeful during these circumstances, but also meditative. Interacting with Mother Nature in this way helps me stay grounded and respect the superior forces of nature.”
One of the most beautiful characteristics of gardening is how it is not something that provides us with instant gratification. Consistent nurturing and dedication is the root cause for true flourishing, not only in this case, but in numerous other life scenarios.
“Gardening has shown me there is so much that we can do if we practice patience and care.” she said. “Not only does it help me observe the progression of nature’s beauty, it has imparted an invaluable lesson to me; that everything changes with time, if nurtured correctly, everything blossoms and blooms. This has helped propel positivity in my life.”
As with everything, if you dig deep enough, there is a practical application for what we can learn from gardening. Maryam expounds about what it is she has taken from her experiences.
“By being physically in touch with the world around me, I have grown too,” Said said. “As with gardening, I am taking each day on, one at a time. I am trying to implement what I have taken away from this activity to ensure that I do the most to help foster growth in myself and those around me in these uncertain times.”
Another freshman at the University of Texas, Molly Schaff, has decided to undertake roller skating during her time in quarantine in order to break the monotony of her routine and propel herself into the outdoor world.
“I love how it feels like I’m floating,” Schaff said. “It's almost like a sort of dance. For me, it is a great way to get exercise and see more of my neighborhood. I really love the trees and lakes that I see while roller skating.”
Just like Said, Schaff reaffirms the idea that there is something reflective and invigorating about physically interacting with the scenery outside our windows.
“Connecting with nature makes me feel less alone and reminds me that the world around me still exists,” Schaff said. “It also helps me calm down and recenter.”
Aside from the immediate entertainment and peace Schaff receives from a skating trip, taking up this hobby has also had lasting effects for her.
“Since I began skating and getting back outside, I have seen a huge increase in gratitude,” Schaff said. “I have even started keeping a journal of things that make me grateful, and I have started looking for all the beautiful things in daily life.”
As we all know, it can be incredibly easy to feel isolated, bored and stuck during these uncertain times. However, the outdoors are not off-limits!
As Schaff and Said have displayed, there is no better time than the present to decide to turn your attention to the beauty that exists right outside your front door. Not only can this be a fulfilling way to spend your time, Mother Nature has a funny way of reminding us to be grateful and showing us that life, at its core, is a beautiful thing even when it isn’t going exactly how we’d like it to.
Photos courtesy of Maryam Said and Molly Schaff