This will be one to remember.
Your favourite movies and shows have been postponed for release. You’re unable to eat Singapore’s Lau Pa Sat Hokkien Mee. You don’t have the pleasure of going out to eat rolled McDonald’s softy ice cream without having to worry whether you’re carrying a mask and hand sanitiser. But now, we are confined in our home like crazed hens in a chicken coop.
These days, we work or study via video calls; we sit on our chairs and soon become one with them, while our eyes are glued to the screen from 9 to 5. Terrifying, but think about this. When was the last time you danced like no one was watching? Or the last time you ate gummy bears? When was the last time you talked to your old friends? In short, when was the last time you did something out of the ordinary?
I’m guessing not in a long time. This pandemic may be a curse, but it’s an advantage in disguise. Yes, we need to make sure that we are safe and adhere to social distancing rules, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. My family and I have been playing board games (yes, board games!), eating dinner together every night and trying new recipes. I haven’t laughed or had fun in a long time as much as I have now, and I’m a senior in high school, who should be avoiding her family.
We played scattergories, but quickly realised that we were absolute garbage at this game. We didn’t know what footwear started with an L or what candy starts with a P, but that didn’t stop us from putting the most ridiculous and humorous answers on our response papers. My mom laughed so hard that there was no more laughter left in her. Do you see what doing different things does to you? It frees you like laughter and moves you forward in whatever circumstance.
So, my task for you is this: be out of your ordinary. Dress differently one day, try a new TV show, make a dish you’ve always wanted to eat. You’ll be having fun, but you’ll also be learning and experiencing something completely new. You’re growing and becoming self-aware like never before. So, rather than becoming one with our chairs and reminiscing about the softy ice cream, do something extraordinary. Make the day count.