Getting to Know Me

How is everyone doing during this quarantine? I know it is an unpleasant situation for a lot of people, especially social butterflies. It’s also hard for people to understand the severity of it when they don’t think of themselves as a risk or they’re in good health. I know when this all started, I was having a hard time wrapping my head around it, but I’ve actually been adapting really well. Here is how I’ve been surviving.

I’ve been getting to know me. I’m cheating a little because I’m an introvert. Honestly, this is kind of my life on the daily. I don’t love going out, socializing is exhausting, and I’m used to not seeing my friends all the time. Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of things I miss during this quarantine, but I’m not going to dwell on the negatives here. I’m focusing on the things that bring me happiness.

One thing I have been doing to get to know me is read You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hays. Her book encourages me to accept myself. Her message is self-love, which is something I need to be reminded of because I’m pretty hard on myself. I’m a perfectionist. Reading that book -and I’ve been taking my sweet time doing so- has given me some really good insight on how I want to be once this whole thing is over.

The second thing I’ve done to get to know me is watch YouTube videos about my personality type via Meyer’s Brigs. I actually stumbled upon a YouTuber that has a lot of videos about our personality type. It makes me laugh so hard when he says things that sound exactly like something I’ve said or thought. It helps me feel less alone in this world. Shout out to Frank James who has hilarious videos about personality types and enneagrams!  

A third thing I have been doing to get to know me is taking care of my physical body. Believe it or not, but I’ve become healthier during this quarantine. I’ve been taking walks, having dance parties, and cooking good food. The weather hasn’t always cooperated for walks outside, but dance parties can happen whenever. I used to get really stressed out about eating, but now I’m just making whatever I feel like making and confidently trying to make new things. It’s been exciting.

A fourth thing I have done to get to know me is work on my music. I haven’t written any new songs yet, but the goal is to make a new YouTube video soon using an already written unshared song. I have kind of neglected my music for a while. Pushing it off because of being a perfectionist and doubting the point of even sharing it. I forgot how much I love my songs. Whether I get famous or not, I want to share them because they’re special to me.   

Lastly, to get to know me, I’ve been watching Hannah Montana. I understand how this can be a weird way to get to know me, but I grew up watching Hannah Montana. It made me realize how many lies about life I used to believe because I watched that show while my brain was developing with no real experience. It is filled with subliminal messages that little kids don’t question, but as an adult, I also recognize the good life lessons it taught me. It’s been fun to reminisce about the past.

I know these things are tailored to me, but maybe some of them will inspire you to get to know yourself better. Our future is still uncertain, and it would have been uncertain even without this virus. What we can control is the present moment that we are in. Today is your day to love on yourself, get to know you, and take care of yourself. Take the extra time you might have to self-reflect and show yourself self-love.

For those who are alone and don’t like it, instead of giving in to despair and feeling alone, entertain yourself. Take yourself on a date. You don’t have to go anywhere. Take-out and movie at home can be a luxury. Enjoy this time. Maybe it’s time to try new things. Pick up cooking, reorganize your closet, read a book or color. Coloring is super fun and therapeutic. Pretend you’re a little kid again and play with toys. The possibilities are endless.

You know what they say, time flies when you’re having fun. Before you know it, things will be back to normal. In the meantime, keep your head up. You’ve got this!    

[I know this blog post doesn’t apply to everyone. I’m sure there are plenty of parents who wish their kids could go back to school, but if you took the time to read this, I appreciate you. You’re a superhero!]