We’ve adapted to the change

From hospitals, to schools, to our own homes, 2020 – 2021 has definitely been a year of unprecedented change. In mid-March 2020, the chaos began! All the toilet paper disappeared, restaurants were closed, sports were cancelled and people were banned from hospital waiting rooms.. Throughout time, though, we as a society have adapted to the changes and limitations.
No one could have predicted what the last 12 months have brought, but policies have been in place that allowed us to adjust and respond quickly during this time. The Internet has developed, delivery services had already become the norm and essential jobs had been identified.
As students, we each hold a unique and important perspective as we navigated our ways socially, professionally, and academically through these times of uncertainty. It has been a rough time for teens who have repeatedly adapted to new roadmaps for navigating education. Not only students, but the teachers and staff were also facing new changes. As the year progresses, online school has become normalized with only a few opting to come back on campus for human interaction.
Even though we’ve gotten to a place where almost everything is regulated, we are reminded that adaption is not a one-size-fits-all. Every new journey has its struggles, and we have struggled with many things: getting food, staying motivated, getting used to wearing mask, and keeping life balanced with a new change.
Some have responded to the additional stress by struggling while others have adapted and even taken advantage of the opportunities to earn new money, improve a skill or create forms of art. We all respond differently, but the truth is, we all respond.
Change is sometimes a slow and lengthy process. The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged each and every one of us to adapt, but it has also emphasized the importance of being ready for any and all scenarios. The public learned that we were not prepared to handle a pandemic, but the lessons we’ve learned should help us to respond more effectively to the next crisis.
Whatever the crisis may be, worldwide or personal, remember to recognize that change is happening; focus on the positive; when possible, prepare, quiet your mind from the fear; remember to give yourself a break; and talk it out with others. Know yourself well enough to realize you need assistance. That is a sign of strength and will help you continue to experience a balanced, healthy life, even when your world is out of balance.