Pandemic. Check. Stock market crash. Check. Government forcing bar closures. Check. The 20s are once again dawning upon us.

Often referred to as the Greatest Generation, teenagers during the 1920s reflected the post-war upheavals and the political/societal changes brought about by The Great War. Today, teenagers the likes of myself represent a new generation, the Quaranteens, born between 2001-2007 and are on the verge of crossing the threshold into adulthood; unlike those of the Greatest Generation, we who yearn most for independence had to face tremendous losses and once-in-a-lifetime experiences & rites of passage as we are confined by the walls of our own homes.

The “roars” of the 2020s aren’t from the triumph and celebration of human achievements as it were in the 1920s, it’s of the wildfire scorching Australia early January. On top of that, this pandemic, comparable to the Spanish flu, is taking its toll on the rest of the world, putting the world on hold.

Food delivery is more essential now than ever.

However, what we fail to realize is that this is only the beginning of the 20s. If history has shown to repeat itself, then what we’re in for can only be characterized by great strides in human progress as well as meteoric economic prosperity (since we’ve already experienced the depression part). Therefore, I believe it’s crucial to be optimistic during these trying and defining times so that we can come out of it better.

In order not to be stuck in a time loop like Bill Murray was in Groundhog Day, it would be beneficial to engage in different activities to help you keep track of time. I personally try to do something interesting everyday besides the myriad of daily activities that I usually do to keep me barely functioning. Movies are a great time-waster because though they’re non-productive, I find watching movies to be very stimulating creatively and helps me stay conscious; two stunning flicks that I recommend on Netflix include Django Unchained and The Matrix. Or, if you’re an outdoor person: try visiting your local markets and picking up some plants/seeds in order to start a project in your backyard. That way, you can reap the benefits of your labor when you’re done.

Go outside once in a while to feel the warmth of the sun.

One last thing. If the 1920s were to teach us anything, it would be anything is possible and change is inevitable. Who knows what life is going to be like once quarantine is over. Therefore, I especially urge whoever’s reading to make a list of the things in life that you enjoyed pre-quarantine, as well as what you have to look forwards to post-quarantine.