OPINION: 2020 Has Challenged and Changed Me for the Better

OPINION: 2020 Has Challenged and Changed Me for the Better

Avery Stephens

2020 has challenged and changed me for the better. When we first went into quarantine, I definitely struggled with the feeling of isolation. I began to overthink everything, and got in my head, which can become really self destructing. I wasn’t used to having such a consistent, but boring routine- wake up, zoom classes, stay in bed for hours watching netflix, then go to sleep. I missed spontaneous adventures with my friends and seeing my teammates at practice. But during this time, I grew a lot closer with my family. They still got on my nerves of course, but I did go to them for advice on how to counteract how I was feeling. My sister said she was feeling the same way, and I would guess most teenagers could say the same, so we decided to make the most out of our time spent alone. We decided to pick up new hobbies- from baking to painting. Granted, we weren’t very good at it, but we did find it therapeutic and fun. I decided that I could use this time to better myself. I began to read more, which would help me get my mind off of what was going on in the world. I exercised everyday, whether it was taking a walk around the neighborhood with my sister or learning new soccer drills in my backyard. We went on family vacations to the beach and the lake. Of course it looked a bit different because we had to take extra precautions, but it was still an amazing time to get away and enjoy what life has to offer. Quarantine taught me lessons I didn’t know I needed. It taught me that I could turn any bad or confusing situation into something enjoyable, and that I can still have fun even if I’m just by myself in the comfort of my own home. I believe I’m coming out of 2020 stronger and more at peace with myself than when it began.