Recent weeks have been different. Some people confessed this feels like a bad dream they cannot wake up from. Others say there is nothing else to do but listen to the authorities and hope for the best.
From Belgium to Peru, thousands of people have been forced to drastically change their daily routines. While some apparently enjoy self-isolation and do not seem heavily affected by it, many others are going through difficult times. Without any doubt, this is a crisis affecting millions economically, socially and emotionally. Especially the most vulnerable.
Spending countless hours with oneself is a challenge for many. However, this period of solitude is allowing us to unintentionally make some discoveries.
For that reason, we asked some teenagers what are their biggest quarantine discoveries.
"Today I am exactly a month in quarantine. I have used this time for introspection since I am going through a somewhat difficult personal issue, and within different things I have learned to distract myself (such as by cooking or painting), I actually think my biggest discovery was witnessing all the art I can make from the hard time I am going through. I have been writing a lot of poems, stories and such." *
@stig.aria, Lima (Peru), 17 years old, one month in quarantine
*This response was translated from Spanish. To see the original text read the Spanish version.
"I guess my biggest quarantine discovery is that I’m not as introverted as I thought I was. I noticed that I have cared way too much about what other strangers think about me. Being isolated made me think about how I don’t do much, and that the few activities I do enjoy... I’ve barely done. Mostly because of fear of trying and failing, making a fool of myself. Two examples are my art and appearance. Whenever I do draw, I refuse to post it because I don’t think it’s good enough. I feared that other much more experienced artists would judge me. Regarding my appearance, I used to refuse to take pictures of myself. At first it was due to my self-esteem. But after working on improving that, what stopped me from dressing the way I wanted and having more confidence was the fear of looking ridiculous. I felt like others would think that I was wearing a ‘costume’, I honestly felt like a clown at first. Now during quarantine, I realize that no one even cares, and that those thoughts were just mine. Turns out I tended to isolate myself out of commodity and fear rather than because I actually wanted to be alone. Too bad that I finally realize that I wish to be more outgoing when I can’t go out."
Anonymous, Lima (Peru), 18 years old, 29 days in quarantine
*Photo by Yohann LIBOT on Unsplash
"I think that what I discovered about myself is that I love being alone, I had forgotten how it was to spend time with myself, and I do get along with myself. This has helped me to redefine which path I was taking my self-esteem to, and now I feel I’m in the right direction." *
@jov_carmichael, Lima (Peru), 19 years old, 26 days in quarantine
*This response was translated from Spanish. To see the original text read the Spanish version.
"My biggest discovery is finding comfort in reaching out to people, I always lived expecting others to show me their love and that they care that I completely forgot that by waiting for that I didn’t do that to them myself. I also learned the importance of self-care, whether it is staying all day in bed playing video games, working out, doing facial treatment, or baking some good treats I learned to do things for myself and realizing that I discovered ways to continue or I would even say start a path to self-love. I discovered the importance of happiness and the fragility of life, just as the true meaning of it being that humbleness, empathy, and justice should reign at all times."
@an_unfuckwithable_ash, Lima (Peru), 18 years old, 26 days in quarantine
*Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
"I discovered that we haven’t been appreciating the world we live in until this happened. this had to happen so we could realize that we are happy with small little things like, going for a stroll in the park, going to grab some coffee with friends or even going to work or to study. I realized that, and honestly, I feel selfish, because I used to think that I didn’t have anything and there were lots of things that I “deserved” to have. turns out that, I had everything and didn’t appreciate it enough. so I guess that that’s what I discovered, we shouldn’t take things for granted, no matter how “insignificant” we think they are."
@luceronajar, Lima (Peru), 18 years old, 26 days in quarantine
"My biggest discovery is that I adapt pretty easy to not being able to leave home. Like I don’t care anymore, it’s not really bothering me that much."
@kmosaidfuckoff, Lima (Peru), 18 years old, 27 days in quarantine
"Mmhh my biggest quarantine discovery would be that I like to cook or help in cooking even though I know nothing and nothing turns out, but I love it."
@nay.mur, Lima (Peru), 18 years old, 26 days in quarantine
"I discovered that I’m more of an introvert than I thought I was, and I can thrive much better when I have a lot of alone time even if I miss my time with friends."
@marina.donati, Boston (US), 17 years old, 30 days in quarantine
"Uhm, well, I think my biggest discovery was discovering all the hard work my grandma does when sewing clothes. I’m staying at my grandparent’s place these days, and I’ve learned embroidery and sewing some things thanks to quarantine."*
@tapersito, Lima (Peru), 16 years old, 26 days in quarantine
*This response was translated from Spanish. To see the original text read the Spanish version.
*Photo by Sasha Freemind on Unsplash
Some of us are learning more about ourselves. Not because we wanted too, but because our isolation leaves no more option than exploring our weaknesses, talents, thoughts and feelings. It is a period of infinite reflection some find positive and others not as much. Reflection can be overwhelming too.
written by @kalikatari
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