DISRUPTED ROUTINES
Lack of socializing beginning to wear on some while others emphasize self-care
Local coffee shop Uncommon Grounds posted a note on its window addressing how business will continue through the COVID-19 outbreak.
The tap tap of tiny footsteps running upstairs. The smell of fresh baked bread in the oven, because who can actually find bread nowadays? The sound of siblings bickering. Yes, everything that makes your house a home. And for the first time since Christmas break you are able to enjoy some time away from school.
But what about the annoying bell that goes off every hour, or the crowded hallways each day. Being able to hear your friends laugh from across the classroom and even that gut-wrenching feeling when you remember that you have a test fifth period.
As teenagers, we get so used to a simple routine of waking up, going to school, doing homework and going to bed. This leaves us very little time to focus on bettering ourselves and making sure we stay mentally healthy.
However, with this quarantine we have plenty of time on our hands. This may be the answer to some students’ dreams, but to others, it’s affecting their daily life and mental health much more.
“I haven’t hung out with my friends or even gone to get coffee,” sophomore Brooklynn Bennett said. “Every non-essential building is closed and I’m not allowed to be in many areas because of the risk that comes with it.”
I haven’t hung out with my friends or even gone to get coffee. Every non-essential building is closed and I’m not allowed to be in many areas because of the risk that comes with it.
— Brooklynn Bennett, PHS sophomore
So, not only are we ripped out of school, but we also aren’t allowed to participate in any of the activities that make us happy and allow us to be ourselves.
Learningpotential.gov states that being on a routine has many benefits and “can provide stability during a time of change.”
However, this quarantine is a time of change for everyone and for some, there isn’t a routine to be found. But for others this is a time to focus on bettering yourself and becoming relatively stress free.
“I have been doing more self care lately,” junior Elsie Spomer said, “like working out, doing yoga, eating healthy and spending time outside.”
This quarantine is an amazing time to do all of those activities that we previously never have the time to complete.
“I think being outside and doing activities you enjoy is really important for your mental health,” Spomer added.
With many more weeks of self-quarantine likely remaining (see related story), most are more than eager to go back to their normal life.
“I definitely have found myself missing school and missing the structure that it brings to my life,” Bennett said. “Now, since the quarantine, there isn’t a lot of order to how I spend my days.”
This seems to be the case with students and parents around the world. Everyone has to adjust to a whole new lifestyle, and for many this is uncharted territory.
“It has been a struggle to adjust to a lifestyle that I’ve never had to accommodate in the past,” Bennett said. “Don’t get me wrong though, I really enjoy spending this extra time with my family and using this quarantine to spend time with my FFA projects.”
And as for me, I am using this time to catch up on some much needed beauty sleep (self-care, am I right?) A pandemic is something I never thought I would live to see, and now it just feels like the world is silently on fire and we are all fighting this problem from 6 feet apart.
Zeke Frankenberry • Apr 24, 2020 at 9:27 am
As many others have already said, I can relate to this story I miss seeing my friends and some of my teachers. But with that this a great time that we can use to better ourselves and make the world a healthier place.
Bryce Johnson • Apr 24, 2020 at 9:16 am
This article relates to everyone cause high school is the only time when you are close to a lot of people. This stupid virus that has been blow out of proportion has ruined that for all of us.
Andy Beavers • Apr 23, 2020 at 10:03 am
I can really relate to this story as can everyone else. I do really miss hanging out with friends. This article allowed me to find closure in that i am not the only one who feels this way.
Brandon Casey • Apr 22, 2020 at 2:29 am
This COVID-19 guy better mind his own business, I can’t take rotting in my house anymore. I need to go outside and hang with friends. This whole quarantine lifestyle isn’t for me.
Geolana Andrade • Apr 21, 2020 at 1:10 pm
This is a topic I thought I’d never relate to but being away from school I kinda miss it now. Knowing i’m not the only one missing school makes me feel a little more sane. Teenagers need social interaction and we seek that through school. This article was sorta eye opening, when we go to school every day because we have to we don’t take into consideration what life would be like without it. Overall this was a fun article to read!
Rachel Gutierrez • Apr 16, 2020 at 1:57 pm
This article made me tear up a bit because for me I do miss seeing my friends in the halls and talking after every period like we haven’t seen each other in ages. I miss my senior year, it all started out so good and many memories were created. The day to day routine that was there made all the days worth it. All of the years were worth it. Now at home there’s a different routine we all seem to have. Distancing ourselves and trying to keep positive out of all the chaos. To me this is a very good article.