Unfortunately, the days have seemed long the past two months. Families have been separated, business closed, and healthcare workers have been pushed to work the hardest seen in perhaps a century.

I will not act that Cabin Fever has not struck a few times. Some of the strongest extroverts have been held at its mercy. However, we fall to pick ourselves up. We learn from our mistakes and we adapt exponentially. I can only speak from my own observations but I think that we lost quite a few things but we also have learned to treasure the things we held dear even more. In the past two months, we have gained such a reverence for good hygiene and sanitary practices that I’m confident that some things will not go back to “normal” and some of that is ok. This will serve as a ripple in time.

I implore everyone to look within themselves and find the good in it. Perhaps you’ve learned some things about yourself, or learned to value the things you love all the more. Family, friends, seeing a new place, meeting someone new, all things we’ve probably longed for during this time. You’ve probably noticed how much the small things matter too such as a good debate, the sun beating on your face, going window shopping through the mall, or going to watch a movie with friends.

I guess my point is you don’t truly appreciate things until they’re gone. So what to do now? Plan. Plan to enjoy every moment from now on. Find new hobbies, learn new things, read a book, learn a skill, invent something. With all the things we miss now and all the time we have it is important we all find our own ways to cope. So don’t be afraid to take a leap, don’t be afraid to try something new and look toward better days. I can only speak for myself but looking back now? Life two months ago seems like I was only alive but from now on I will surely aim farther. I’ll look to better days and live every one better than the last.