Many people have reacted to the dramatic life adjustment as if the world is quickly reaching apocalyptic levels. But not Cherokee County Schools. And not many parts of the rest of the world. In an instant, we were required to sacrifice some things for the benefit of the masses, force ourselves to live more slowly, and adjust in ways that stretched our creativity and expectations. When this is over, we will not have been defeated.
You can cancel school, cancel our sports, but leave it up to us to get creative really quick.
Admittedly, we high-schoolers are having a hard time making sense of what’s happening in such a scenario. We are being challenged because we don’t know what to do without hanging out with people like we used to do on a normal day basis.
We want to argue that “being with our friends doesn’t make it any different than being with your family,” but let’s just take this day-by-day. If we all stay inside and do what we are supposed to do during this time, it will be gone before we know it.
Through the last couple of days being stuck in this weird spot in life, I’ve seen some families and their children getting really creative with outside activities, such as enjoying activities schedules normally don’t allow. I’ve seen families picnicking together and walking around the neighborhood. Likewise, we’re spending more quiet time together, such as more meals together, games played, and other activities to fill the time.
I’ve walked my dogs, played basketball with a couple friends (following distancing guidelines), went on hikes, and have gone kayaking. Don’t just stop your life because of this. Life still goes on. Get creative. Play I spy with your neighbors. Some neighborhoods are doing bear hunts or creating heart crafts to display on doors and windows to show support and love to our healthcare workers. Some are even displaying Christmas lights to share the joy. You see? This chaos has been combatted with creativity.
Play nerf, have a nerf war in your neighborhood. Don’t lock yourself inside your house. Enjoy the fresh air. A walk around the neighborhood or a hike is still practicing social distancing.
“But despite these uncertain and stressful times, connecting with other people remains incredibly important. And with millions of people around the globe being ordered to stay indoors as much as possible, people have had to get creative with their approach to socializing.”
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/michaelblackmon/coronavirus-quarantine-friends-group-video-chat-hangout
Get online with your teachers when you can. They miss your face. Video chat your friends, FaceTime your grandparents, but whatever you do, don’t settle into solitude.
So let’s all stop getting sad that we can’t be with our friends or do what we’ve grown used to. Life is not going to be predictable, and we’re getting early training in the skill of adaptability. Think about everything we can do. Go on a camping trip with your family. Make dinner for your parents. Help your family out around the house. Create a workout routine. Group FaceTime with your friends. Have siblings? Go on a walk. Spend a day at the lake together. Take a hike to a waterfall. Take a drive as it is very beautiful outside recently. Let your life go on.
Let’s all make this help us to grow and be stronger, healthier, and more active. So everyone reading this, get inspired. Go outside and be active. Always remember “this too shall pass.”
“Optimism is a strategy for making a better future. Because unless you believe that the future can be better, you are unlikely to step up and take responsibility for making it so.”―Noam Chomsky
“Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.” ―John Wooden
“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” ―Martin Luther
THE WARRIOR WORD 