Starting From Home — California

During the pandemic, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on myself, as I’m sure all of us have. It’s been mentally degrading to live in isolation and frustrating, to say the least, with so many hate crimes, bad news, and the coronavirus all crashing down on us simultaneously.

The past couple of years have undoubtedly taken a toll on me, in all aspects. I have been struggling to muster up the motivation to do anything and everything, from completing schoolwork to just getting out of bed in the mornings. I confuse myself with my constant fluctuation of emotions, which are discouraging when I have important things to complete. I realize now that learning to pick myself up in these situations, through listening to my favorite songs or watching comfort videos, has allowed me to grow and nurture a more positive mindset. I have begun keeping a gratitude journal so that I can learn to appreciate the little things in life, which can make all the difference in the world. I have also been dancing more often, drawing, napping, and watching lots of K-dramas during shelter-in-place. These are all great outlets that I highly recommend if you find yourself stuck in a rut. Although our current circumstances are far from ideal, the best we can do at the moment is start from home (very literally) by taking care of our health, supporting loved ones, and preparing for a better tomorrow.

— Madeline Yang, 14

San Francisco, California