Sunday, May 24, 2020

Being in Isolation Made Me Appreciate the Mundane, Little Things - Guest Post Sunday


Aboard the point-to-point "p2p" Bus, Kawit

It has almost been three months since the outbreak of the disease. Who would have thought that in the span of this short amount of time, thousands of lives were already claimed globally? And over millions whose lives are still at stake? While we are physically stuck at home, the mind cannot help but wander. 

During these times, everyone is online trying to be socially connected. I have read many articles and write-ups surrounding this pandemic, many of which talks about mental health. It would say: “X number of signs you are experiencing anxiety” and surprisingly, I would tick most, if not all boxes. All this while, I thought I was just lazy and unproductive. I never knew I was experiencing something deeper—that this pandemic is digging deeper within me and without me even realizing it. 

It’s amusing how during the start of the quarantine, my emotions were on the highs. Just like everyone else, I thought I deserved the break—a break from the tiring routines of everyday, and finally having that time you have always wanted for yourself. As being in isolation took longer than how everyone expected, I noticed how my moods went on an emotional roller coaster each passing day. 

And this is when I realized that, as cliché as it may sound, no man is an island. Even for an introvert like me. Part of being in law school is complaining about the studying you have to do and wanting to quit, even when you don’t actually mean it. Who would have thought I would be missing those early 7am coffees with groggy eyes, while trying to rush through the pages in the hopes that you make it through that one class? I certainly did not expect that. Life used to be late night well-deserved dinners after that exhausting 7-9PM class, and bus rides home on a quiet Saturday afternoon, just sitting there in that window seat for an hour or so - listening to my “p2p” Spotify playlist. 

What is even scarier is that we don’t know when this would end. It’s like passing through a dark tunnel and the light is nowhere to be seen. Will this truly be the “new normal”? The thought of it scares the hell out of me, because that would mean not being able to do the mundane things we used to hate in the same way we used to before, or at least for a very long time. No more dining out, no more movie nights, no more parties. None of those what we call “sanity breaks.” 

As what this little guest entry of mine says from the beginning, being in isolation made me appreciate the mundane things. Just like the the rest of the world, everyone is lost and nothing but hoping of finding that light to see that this would all end eventually. And when this is over, I hope everyone would see the world in a different perspective: that it is in fact true that it’s the little things that matter; that it’s worth it to stop and smell the roses. And most importantly, if you are reading this, well, you are just lucky to be alive.

C. Q. Viniegra
General Trias, Cavite
Caren is on her way to her last year at Law School by the end of the year. A kind heart, she grew up to be a strong woman with a passionate heart towards social change in this modern society that she is part of.

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Cavite Daily Photo is inviting Caviteño authors who would like to share their stories and experiences about life and living in the province we call home, Cavite! If you are interested to write and share your best photo, email me at stevensonque@gmail.com

20 comments:

  1. Lovely post ~ Many of us are learnng the 'simple pleasures' of life ~ wishing you well with law school ~

    Be Safe, Be Well,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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    1. That is absolutely true Carol! We get to learn how to view and appreciate a lot of things that we somehow fail to before.

      Thank you so much dear Carol. My guest author would love that so much! She is my cousin and I am so proud of her. Thank you for your well wishes for her, she sure would be delighted to read it :)

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  2. I really don't like isolation ... it's so frustrating not being able to cuddle with your grandchild!
    I really can't imagine how the old people in nursing homes or old people's homes are doing without the social contacts!
    I have long learned to enjoy the little things, since I have chronic fatigue syndrome!
    About the pictures on my blog ... they are indeed sheep, not dogs or cows! LOL
    Have a nice Sunday!

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    1. Oh Ella I know what you mean! Even here in the Philippines that is quite a challenge, well especially for me because I am a hug person to my friends so it will be hard for me when I get to see them but I guess we need to make other ways to show affection.

      Ella I was so laughing with that, that it is indeed sheep because I also saw other commenters referring to them as cows HAHA :) Now I know they are sheep, thank you so much for confirming :)

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    2. You little bastard 😅😅😅 (Lol, don't get mad!) My Anca isn't from a horror movie ... but ... my husband says that too! Hahahahaha ...
      Is an old doll and at the time they were made like that! Is older that my self, she was my aunt doll, that's why she's called Anca!

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    3. Ella you had me laughing so hard! I am so sorry my dear friend, maybe we Filipinos have just been brought up to be scared by such beautiful dolls that look very very human like HAHA but don't get me wrong, Anca looks very beautiful and precious Ella! Haha

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  3. ...live a simple safe life and be one of the survivors so you can enjoy the happier days down the road.

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    1. A big yes to that Tom! Let's make it to the end of this situation with healthy body and minds :)

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  4. That is a wonderful perspective on these trying times. The little things in life are now the big things in living life. Cool idea for other Cavitians to have a guest post on the blog.

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    1. It is right Bill! Now we get to see how important those little things are and how we now have time for those things we never had before.

      Thank you so much my friend Bill, I am so happy you like this Guest Post concept. It was a suggestion from my college friend Florence :)

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  5. Wonderfully expressed angst. I suppose now we will have and create new mundanes :)

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    1. Yes to that magiceye! We now have to broaden our perspectives to things big and small :)

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  6. I just miss being able to get up and go to the store without having to think about it...and I never thought I would miss going to the store. And I do wonder if we will ever get back to like it was before.

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    1. Rose that is very true. I miss my 2 am walks going to 7-11 on our proper and grab some ricer and chicken in the middle of the night :(

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  7. It's very important to live the life to the fullest with whatever you love to do. . . Nice Guest post, Stevenson You Have a nice and Safe Day. . . :)

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    1. Thank you so much Manav! I am happy you like it and I very much agree on how we should live life as if it is our last :)

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  8. Stevenson!!! 7 am and groggy eyes? I started 05:45 am 40 km from where I live, LOL!
    I´ll have a Skype-job-interview this week and it already scares the hell out of me.
    The little things, yes!
    Our waitress at our Pizza-shop came really near - with her mask on.
    I like her! She has a plastic mask, so I could see her whole face, yet.... a tad too near.
    Or are we in panic mode for no reason? We´re "young".
    Such crazy times.
    My Brother thinks an interview via phone is good, but.... I´d like to meet the people. If from a distance...

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    1. Hello dear Iris!!! Oh we are the same when I was still teaching at the University! I leave the house at 5:45 and arrive before my 7 am class and it's about 35 km away from home haha

      I read from your blog that you will have a skype interview and I am very very excited for you dear Iris! I know interviews can be very nerve-wracking but I am very sure you will do well so do deep breaths and relax before the interview. I am with you in prayer and please please update us! We are the same I always liked face to face interviews because it gives them better impressions to see our face when we speak, I believe in that so much.

      Oh, it is just right for you to panic dear Iris! Even I panic when speaking so close to my family even if we stay at the same house.

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  9. A lovely and timely post. I have had many gifts during this pandemic. They are little things. And they mean so much more than so many larger things.

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    1. I very much agree Jeanie, small things mean a lot bigger now than those big things we used to see.

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Stevenson