I discovered methods to maintain myself busy like binge-watching each TV present and film, occurring bike rides and baking, however spending most of my time on social media. I by no means felt dangerously bored or like I used to be going “insane” from not with the ability to exit, however nonetheless I made myself comfy with residing vicariously by my favourite social media influencers. Watching each video of them going to events or on trip or simply speaking helped me really feel not so alone. However, what I didn’t know was on the similar time, I used to be letting societal norms take over my thoughts and management my each transfer. I began to imagine that if I wasn’t precisely like these influencers or “good” folks, nobody would really like me. In fact I wasn’t like these influencers and I didn’t have every little thing they’d, so I attempted my greatest to push down what I got here to imagine had been the worst elements of me. After we went again to high school, I restricted myself from being who I really was as a result of I satisfied myself that I couldn’t be sufficient, and I positively didn’t need folks to see that I wasn’t sufficient. So whereas Covid-19 didn’t affect me instantly, it compelled me to reside in my head, and it took a very long time for me to learn to get out of my head.
When you noticed an image of anyplace on the planet 5 years earlier than Covid, after which 5 years after, you’d probably not have the ability to inform the distinction. Now it’s possible you’ll be asking your self, “How did it change then?” I’ll provide you with one phrase: folks. People aren’t the identical. That is essentially the most prevalent in youngsters. Particularly these of their KEY improvement years. Earlier than the pandemic, children would stay up for the weekend. They’d take into consideration all of the enjoyable locations they might go, they’d think about how a lot enjoyable they might have doing these issues. In the course of the week they’d spend time with their household, taking part in video games with pals, and interacting with folks of their life daily. However then the world shut down. Children bought used to staying at dwelling. When children are actually younger, they like copying every little thing they see. That’s how they study. In the event that they see all these folks at dwelling, bored, scrolling on their telephones, that’s what the little children are going to wish to do. They’re going to develop into adults with the identical hobbies. They’ll have children, who in flip, will copy their dad and mom. It’s an infinite cycle. In some way, we have to break that cycle. This goes for everybody. I don’t understand how, however I feel we will all agree that irrespective of your age, life has modified. We have to change.
— Tristan, Glenbard West HS, Glen Ellyn, IL
However others stated the lockdowns made them extra unbiased in a great way.
I might be mendacity if I stated Covid didn’t change me. Probably the most vital attribute about myself that stood out after Covid was my change of perspective towards independence and reliance on others. Pre-Covid, I had seen that I continuously hated being left alone and I surrounded myself with pals 24/7. I hated being alone and I hated the sensation of “loneliness.” After Covid, I seen my perspective towards that had modified. Whereas I’m not positive if it additionally correlated to me turning into total extra mature, or not, I seen that I started loving my alone time. Whether or not that was night time or faculty, simply staying dwelling and enjoyable or in the course of the day on a weekend, I discover a change in what the norm for me was. As an alternative of texting my pals to return procuring with me or going to Starbucks and Goal, I’ve discovered that I now get pleasure from doing these hobbies alone. Indirectly, it’s a method for me to disconnect from the world round me and do what I really like on my own. Though I nonetheless have love for my pals and being with them, I’ve discovered generally it’s okay to be alone and remoted whereas doing what you’re keen on. I encourage folks round me to strive the identical issues!
— GG, New Rochelle Excessive Faculty
Covid modified my life for the higher … I feel? I used to be in seventh grade when lockdown first occurred. I used to be actually fearful of going outdoors as a result of I used to be so petrified of the unknown. Staying at dwelling and avoiding the general public actually provides you loads of time to simply suppose. Being by ourselves on a regular basis “ … turned us into hyper-individuals.” I began to considerably get extra unbiased from being away from everybody, and I began attempting new types as a result of I didn’t have to fret about being judged by the opposite children round me. Whereas center faculty is already an enormous scary time of change, I made it an additional large precedence to deal with myself and steer clear of all of the judgment and drama round me.
Covid modified me in methods I didn’t anticipate. Truthfully, I type of preferred it when every little thing shut down. No extra compelled small speak, no awkward social conditions — simply me, my area, and my very own time. It was good not having to continuously be round folks. I might deal with issues I truly loved with out the stress of all the time being “on.” In fact, it wasn’t all nice, however I feel it made me understand how a lot I worth alone time. Now, although issues are again to regular, I’m extra conscious of how a lot socializing drains me, and I prioritize my very own peace extra.
