Whenever the world feels like it's in turmoil, I write. It’s my way of unloading, of getting things off my chest. Writing allows me to step outside my current mindset, to pour out the anxieties that build up, and to leave those thoughts behind—at least for a little while. It’s a way to try and move forward with my day, unaffected, yet deeply affected by everything around me.
Since COVID-19 changed our world, I've spent countless hours trying to get back to the person I used to be. But that hasn't happened. In fact, it feels like I'm being pulled backward—like I’ve regressed twenty years. Financially, mentally, socially, and emotionally, I feel the weight of that backward drift.
It makes me wonder: what exactly is a pandemic? And how do its ripples change society’s psyche?
Historically, pandemics have always left their mark on the collective mental state of societies. The Spanish Flu of 1918, for example, came with a sense of isolation and loss that mirrored what we saw during COVID-19. Back then, many people faced social isolation, a lack of public gatherings, and economic hardship. There was a profound sense of grief that hung over entire communities, as families lost loved ones and faced uncertain futures.
Yet, despite the hardships, the world eventually found a way to move on. People found solace in a renewed sense of community during the Roaring Twenties, where social bonds and cultural creativity flourished. There was an eagerness to live life fully again, to be in the company of others after so much time apart.
So, why does this time feel different? Why does it feel like it's harder to regain a sense of stability? Perhaps it’s the constant digital connection that keeps us tethered to the distressing news of the world, or the way social media amplifies every crisis, making it harder to find peace even in our own homes. The financial impact of COVID-19 hit some of us like a tidal wave, wiping out years of progress in just months. And mentally, many of us are still carrying the burden of uncertainty, questioning when or if things will truly feel "normal" again.
This pandemic didn’t just separate us physically; it changed the very fabric of our lives. And unlike past generations, we face a new challenge: trying to find balance in a world that never seems to pause. Yet, despite it all, I write. I write to remember that even though I might feel like I’m going backward, there’s power in acknowledging the struggle and leaving some of that heaviness behind on this page.
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