LAST Monday, the holiday season officially ceased for many as places of employment and schools reopened. The memes flooded social media about the dreadfulness we all felt on Sunday evening, but what can we possibly do? The Earth is continuing to spin on its axis and we’re all expected to keep up as well. I was actually inspired by my own feelings of demotivation and dreadfulness to write this week’s column piece. The new year began in the split of a millisecond but life from yesteryear still burdens us to the core. We are still expected to work, study and pay bills amid the chaos.

As I reminiscence back to January 2020, I can clearly remember how calm and still life was. I’m sure if many of us knew back then what we know now, you’d wish those moments would’ve never ended. I know for sure I would. It’s been a challenging year for the entire human race on this planet. Everyone deserves a pat on the back for getting this far. Apart from the hardships faced, there’s also the direct effect of COVID-19. Many persons lost loved ones, many are still quarantined, and many are on respirators in hospitals, while survivors of the virus are faced with the emotional and mental challenges after being infected.

Students and teachers woke up on Monday morning and probably rolled their eyes at their alarm clocks, some business employees must have even yawned at their watches while some essential workers probably sighed after arriving on time to their shift. I am guilty of rolling my eyes and yawning and if I’m to be honest, I’m not mad at myself for doing such. I’ve tried to keep my composure for so long, throughout the year without realising that I’ve been doing that to cope with the ills of this pandemic.

Yes, we need to be physically and mentally strong. Yes, we ought to abide by the COVID-19 restrictions. But, at the same time, we cannot avoid the truths about our well-being. I’ve been feeling “under the weather”, I have been feeling lonely because I can’t visit my friends and family and I’ve also been lacklustre in my studies lately. No, these are not excuses. This is actually my testimony about the effects an ongoing pandemic has. I’m sure many readers can relate and I’m most certain that many are faced with even worse challenges.
All in all, as we lit our firecrackers on January 1st, we did so with uncertainty and after the year we just went up against, can you blame us? I try my best to find positive alternatives and outlets to let go of my negative emotions and feelings. Hence, I write pieces like these with the hope of inspiring someone else who might be faced with a similar situation. From music to art, indoor sports and even Netflix—find something positive that will ultimately inspire and motivate you for this upcoming year. We can use the lessons learned from 2020 to make this year a better one, but lessons cannot bring forth change without the necessary actions.