During these times, it is easy to fall into a dark hole of boredom and not have any motivation. However, it is important to think of the positives while staying home in order to be happy. For instance, since all of my sporting events have been canceled, I needed to pick up new workout habits. I have more free time than I want right now, so I was able to find some good, free workout programs online. While doing these workouts and going on runs, I feel more active and not lazy

While we are at home and away from our friends, we have also been forced to spend more time with or families, which can be a blessing and a curse. Throughout quarantine, I have noticed some of their annoying habits, but we also have gotten closer as a family. Our family has been spending more time together by doing simple things, such as watching a TV show together. The Chicago Bulls documentary The Last Dance has had my whole family sitting down in our family together every Sunday night for the past five weeks. We are able to settle down and not think about other things happening in the world.

Amidst this quarantine, it has been great to still have school. School – even the virtual kind – gives me structure throughout my day. St. Robert was prepared for online school and the days are  very well organized. Throughout the school week, we have plenty of Google Meet video chats, and we can always email our teachers is we are confused. Our Google Meet sessions are a nice time to be able to see all of our friends as well. I have also found it helpful that our teachers provide lots of instruction, so I don’t get confused with the directions of a project or homework assignment. Everyone is working hard to bring a sense of togetherness and normalcy to such a unique time for us.

To keep me sane, I have been talking to my friends a lot through text, FaceTime, and Snapchat. By FaceTiming, it feels almost as though we are together, and as the stay at home order is in the midst of lifting, we all have the hopes of a summer. My friends and I are planning all of the fun things we are going to do and talking about the people we are going to see and be able to visit (finally!). Through these tough times, it is important to remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. We need to live in the moment for the time being, talking to friends, staying active, and connecting with our families. There is still plenty of good in our daily lives though it may be less obvious than before.