In Their Own Words

Self-reflection during COVID-19

On March 13th, 2020, I left my school excited that I got a two-week break because of some unknown virus. No one expected it to be a pandemic and for the entire world to shut down. In a matter of hours everything was shut down, and we were all in quarantine.

At the beginning of quarantine I was very mad at this virus and the whole situation. It canceled many events that I was looking forward to that year, and I was finally becoming more involved with school activities and events. I no longer got to see my friends and family or go to school in person. I was left with a lot of anger and sadness and didn’t know how to cope with it.

During this time, I learned a lot about myself and how I react to certain things. I am now very comfortable with being alone and being quiet. I took the free time that I had to learn new things and try new hobbies. I tried knitting for a bit and made a blanket, I read a lot of books about self-improvement and mental health which I still do now. I am most proud about having gotten into fitness and being out in nature. I never appreciated going outside and being able to breath in fresh air, or see the sunrise every morning.

I now look back at COVID and look at it in a more positive light. I reconnected with some old friends of mine that I would’ve never stayed in contact with, my mental health improved and I learned a lot about myself. I now appreciate the little things a lot more, I’m grateful to wake up in the morning and be healthy, a small smile from a stranger, a wave from a friend.

I believe that COVID taught us all something very valuable, each in their own way. This is my COVID story.

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Authors

Olivia Barbosa

Western Technical Commercial School – Grade 10,
Toronto, Ontario

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