I have been thinking about how the world is changing and how as a person I have changed over the years. A decade ago, if I wasn’t in school or actively speaking with someone, I had headphones on my head. I would always replace them in a matter of hours when they shorted out or if I ruined them by getting them stuck in the wheels of my chair. I realized a few weeks ago when my roommate gave me a new pair of headphones that I was happy to have them, but I no longer considered them a critical need. I would much rather have my iPad and charger because then I can write. 

However, I realized recently that I am much calmer when I have music, or I am listening to an audiobook. I feel better, but when I don’t have them in my ears, I tend to get irritated. I think it’s just because even though my schedule wasn’t affected by the Coronavirus, I still have the stress of dealing with all of the changes that are happening on top of my normal obligations. It has taught me that even though you grow as a person when you get older, sometimes it’s okay to give allow yourself time to check-in and say, “I’m not okay. I need me time.” It seems strange in a time when it is recommended to distance yourself from people, but now I feel like it’s even harder to say, “I’m going to stop looking at my screen.” I know personally I feel like it’s harder to relax, so I don’t waste my day. It’s so interesting that everyone has all of this time now, but everyone is so concerned about the state of the world that creating anything seems impossible. I have written about it. I have experienced it myself.

The world is scary right now, things seem bleak, but allow yourself to do something you love. Listen to all of the music you’ve missed out on, read the books that have been sitting on your shelf for months, write that embarrassing story you have convinced yourself you never would. We will all be asking for this time to be creative when this is all over. Yes, the world is scary. This is a historic time. No one knows exactly how our world will change because of this. Dance around in your underwear,  sing at the top of your lungs, and do what makes you happy.