Staying In & Staying Calm

I am an introvert at heart with plenty of Netflix to watch and assignments to do. I have enjoyed the relaxation and time for self reflection. I do not need social interaction everyday which has allowed me to be successful in coping with social isolation. During this time I refuse to let myself become bored. Boredom was never allowed when I was growing up, so I have been doing my best to keep myself preoccupied. I began listening to podcasts, reading more, and studying for the PCAT which I hopefully will be taking in July. However with SATs/ACTs, MCATs and other large assessments getting cancelled. I am terrified that I will not be able to take mine, and then not be able to apply for pharmacy school in the Fall. This is one of the many fears I have, but I will remain positive and cross that bridge when I get there.

The most important thing I have been trying to do is stay busy and not let myself get overwhelmed. I cannot dwell on the dangers of COVID-19, but attempt to stay informed by reading the news daily and making myself aware of the conditions in my immediate area. However, the news makes me more frustrated as the government’s initial lack of urgency and their inability to develop and enact a COVID-19 rescue package to financially assist the people of the United States is placing us now in grave danger. My biggest my fear is indirectly spreading COVID-19. This has left me in my apartment for days with minimal trips to the grocery store for essentials. The trips to the store have brought me great anxiety as I intensely wipe the cart down with Clorox wipes and wipe all of the items I purchased. In this time, my philosophy is better to be safe than sorry.

This time has brought every emotion under the sun. From fear, to frustration, to happiness, to sadness, to hope and much more. I am frustrated that people cannot grasp the severity of this. I am happy to spend more time with my family and be able to talk with friends. I am sad that a lot of important life events are getting cancelled for myself and my friends. I am scared of rapid spread of COVID-19. But I am hopeful that this will be over soon. I am hopeful we all will become stronger from this experience. At this point, hope is bringing me strength and peace and that is all I can ask for at this time.