Tag: Pandemic

Like a summer night

When December came around last year, my family was anticipated to spend the holidays together since my brother and sister-in-law comes down from New Jersey to spend Christmas. During Christmas Eve last year, we were all feeling low on the holiday spirit, so we decided to drive to downtown Raleigh to see the lights. It was disappointing to see there were no holiday lights displayed even during Christmas. On Christmas day though, we took a casual stroll around the nearby neighborhoods, and we came by a house where the family put on a synchronized light show with a rotating playlist with each song presenting a different color theme and animations. Later onwards, we came to know that the family dedicated their lights show in honor of their 2-year old baby who passed away from spinal muscular atrophy.

I think a lot of us would describe these past two years to be fairly unstable with a lot of racial tension, political riots, unprecedented job losses, lack of predictable income, and most especially, loss of our dear loved ones. Prior to the pandemic, I was lucky enough to experience my college life to the fullest with lots of adventure and constantly having things to do. However, when the pandemic hit, and we were left with no other choice other than to quarantine at home, it really hit me hard. A few months into the pandemic, I almost felt as if I hit a rock bottom and was unconsciously returning back to my older version of myself. Even though I was working hard for my post-bac and grad school applications, I was very self-conscious of whether I was wasting my life by staying at home. By the end of last year, I think people become so attuned to this reality; also, more prepared to still deal with all those problems this year.

Within these past two years, like so many others, I have faced rejections, meltdowns, self-doubts, and failures. But as much as overwhelming has it been, it has been self-healing at the same time. The year 2021 brought in an abundance of growth, learning, and self-fulfillment. From navigating a big career switch to traveling more often, I feel so privileged to be where I am right now. Neither did I relocate to New York nor did I get accepted into PT school, but I am more than content with where I am right now. I feel so happy to end this past year with God blessing me with a job that keeps me happy and one that opens new doors for traveling the world. Lastly, this Christmas was an utmost blessing with being able to spend it at home with my family and a new baby just like how God sent his son to bring the hope of fresh beginnings and the awareness of what utter innocence looks like.

Stay Strong

For the past few months, I am struggling to write as much because I keep losing focus. I am constantly revising my drafts and putting them off to finish later because I fail to gather my thoughts together. Though, I ought to write this post especially, since we are facing these challenging times. Cultural stigmas are incessant battles, as those pertaining to their ethnicities face constant criticism from society. Reminiscing back to my early childhood which I spend in India, I remember how schools or even families never drew attention to this sensitive topic. On top of that, it’s very common to see parents insisting to their child that they’ll outgrow this temporary phase. There are so many adolescents who shut themselves off because they are unable to express what’s racing in their minds. Even in western society, it’s shaking to think that there is so much taboo surrounding the topic. We need to work towards a world where we value mental health and treat it the same way as physical health. That way everyone has somewhere to turn to when they need help. We all deserve some love.

My Alma matter (UNC Greensboro) took this picture when they were hosting the annual mental awareness month in September

Staying at home and being healthy seems like the optimal option during this pandemic, but social distancing comes with its own fallout. It’s normal to feel separated from the support and companionship of our friends and family. Even though some of us might be staying at home with our family, the reality of social isolation can trigger loneliness, sadness, and anxiety. It can be difficult to voice out for help when we live in a world craved by societal norms that dictate our every move and thoughts. We fail to realize the immense amount of pressure in presenting that ‘perfect’ person. To anyone out there who is going through a rough time, remind yourself that you are not alone because God is watching over you. Keep emphasizing to yourself that you are much stronger than your mental health and that you will grow out of this. Don’t be afraid to fully embrace the vulnerabilities, pain, and insecurities. Do not be petrified to speak your voice and break the glass ceilings that societies impose on us. It’s time we break that stigma by making our mental health a priority and advocate for a better support system. If any of you are going through a tough time coping with these unprecedented times, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I may not know each of you personally, but I will take the time to talk with you. It’s far better to express it all out to a stranger than let it fire in your mind.