During the period that we call quarantine, I was finally given some time in the peaceful night for myself, not having to fret about sleeping late and suffering with the consequences the next day. With all the anxiety surrounding everyone over the rising cases, self-care seemed like something that was a necessity to do.

In these times of seclusion, I would reflect how I’m feeling and whether or not I’m content with the actions that I made. When reflecting on these things, I realized just how important family truly is and how distant we all are now due to never having enough time to be in the same place. This lead me to the conclusion in why family meals were so comforting and memorable, with this moments, we were able to bond more and more while making memories that would last forever. It really is a soothing feeling, knowing that your family will always be there for you and help you through the hard times together without a doubt.

Similar to the effect that any family gives, I also learned the importance of true friends. Whenever I thought of something negative that consumed my mind, never giving any space of happiness to shine though, I would hesitate to get help. However, when I went through a deep reflecting session in one of my late nights to the point of overthinking, I remembered that I didn’t have to suffer alone, that my friends wer always going to be a text away. Even when everything around me seemed useless in trying to make me feel better, I took a deep breath and recalled that my phone was a huge factor in getting help, my friends would always be there when all seemed lost.

Quarantine is a blessing and a curse. A blessing in giving us the time to see that there will always be good in a world full of bad, that you are never alone, someone can always relate to you and help you get thought the rough obstacles without a doubt, and so much more. On the other hand, it’s also a curse in allowing our mind to wonder to the dark thoughts that we never wanted to explore, the loss of our freedom, limitation to making 2020 memorable, and learning how painful reality truly is. But I wouldn’t regret quarantine when it’s over as it has taught me a lot of things that wouldn’t have been exposed to if it never happened, and for that I am grateful.