The Driftwood Issue #5: Self-Care Corner

One of the weirdest things about this situation is not interacting with my friends or other students. Full disclosure: I was lonely when this whole thing started. Then, I started doing nightly Discord calls with my friends. We chat, we cackle, we play Fortnite (again, stop looking at me like that) and try to keep each other’s spirits up during this uncertain time. Now more than ever is the time to reach out to people that you love, and it’s time to try something new. Whether that be trying an exercise routine, starting a Twitch stream, or sitting by a window in silence for a few minutes, use this time to see what you’re capable of doing. I’m willing to bet you’re going to surprise yourself.
Of course, doing the above does not guarantee that you will never be lonely again. Distracting yourself only works for so long, and video calls are a pale imitation of in-person communion with friends. Hence, this suggestion: make time to mourn. Schedule a certain amount of time for grieving the loss of your normal life, whatever it might have been. After that time is up, continue with your day. You are the person who’s going to get you through this, so make sure you find and keep a balance between work, play, distraction, and grief. Reach out to your professors and counselors when you need them. They’re thinking of you, and they want you to succeed. You are not alone, and even though we are far apart, we are in this together.

—Indigo Ramirez, Self-Care Editor