Days go by faster than you can imagine.
My friend and I were talking and it came to light that we hadn’t physically seen one another for almost a year.
That realisation left me feeling quite beside myself.
I’m still struggling to comprehend the fact that March will mark one year since South Africa recorded its first Covid-19 case.
The changed behaviour that the pandemic has brought with it is something I never imagined.
Pre-pandemic, the thought of not being allowed to hug an aunt or embrace a friend seemed almost absurd.
Sadly, this is our new normal, but what’s sadder is that some people only take this virus seriously when it hits close to home.
Don’t worry, this isn’t another lecture about how you should be obeying Covid-19 protocols, we are past that and you are accountable for your own actions.
What this is, is realisation of the self and everything I’ve taken for granted.
There’s a saying that goes, “Enjoy the little things in life because one day you will look back and realise that they were the big things.”
I struggled to discover who the wise man (or woman) was that said so, as the Internet seems conflicted, but that’s beside the point.
The point is that in this strange period of our lives, such words have never proven more relevant.
Unfortunately, it took a pandemic of this proportion to help me grasp that the things I miss the most are the things I took for granted.
Little things like going to the beach, being in the company of friends, visiting family or knowing I have the option of returning home a little after 9pm, they all seem so out of reach now.
Funny how we yearn for things the most when we absolutely cannot have them.
While I miss the way things used to be, I have a new found appreciation for my family, friends, technology and all the jobs I did not realise were essential.
In a space of 11 months I’ve watched people struggle, but I’ve also seen them pick themselves up again.
I’ve watched household members get annoyed with one another, but I’ve also seen them grow closer than before.
I’ve watched some friends experience alcohol withdrawal, but I’ve also seen them pick up new hobbies (seemingly healthier ones at that).
I’ve watched my mum and brother share laughter, but I’ve also realised that some people might not have an ideal support structure at home.
Whatever the situation, we have no choice but to look at the world in a new light and navigate through these uncertain waters.
Regardless, as you do so, don’t forget to appreciate the little things!
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