Life Before COVID

The whole world is in turmoil right now and times are undeniably challenging. Despite this, there are many things in life that I'm grateful for - my family back in Cebu is doing well and safe, my company is very considerate and supportive, and I have my friends that I can count on.

However, as I've mentioned in my previous post, being alone while on lockdown is not a walk in the park. For someone who tends to overanalyze things and is prone to anxiety and depression, it is even harder.

I'm doing fairly well, all things considered, but I'd be lying if I say that every day since the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was implemented last March 16 had been okay. There had been bad days, but thankfully, they were not as bad as they used to.

I guess the things that just really bother me right now are how my life is going personally and career-wise, and how I always have this feeling of being trapped and not knowing how to get out of it.

I'm crossing my fingers that when we get back some semblance of the pre-COVID life that we used to know, these thoughts will not bother me so much. Right now, I just have too much time on my hands and too much alone time with thoughts.

Anyhoo, I didn't mean to dwell on those things in this post, but since it's already there, I guess I'll just leave it. However, moving on to the real purpose as to why I'm writing this, here are the things I miss most about life before COVID happened: 

Traveling

That feeling of being in another place, of experiencing things that you had no idea existed, of the possibility of getting lost and finding your way back, of immersing in a culture that's so different from your own - it's beatiful and I miss that.

Before COVID, I had the ultimate solo travel planned that included flying to Vietnam and going to Cambodia. While travel as we know it may change drastically after COVID (I'm not even sure if there's an "after" to this), I still wish I could go there someday and visit other places.

Also, my mom just got her passport last February, and I really really wish she will have the chance to enjoy it. :(

Working at the Office

Before COVID, there were days when I felt like I would be more productive if I worked from home, but that was under the premise that working from home is the exception to the rule and that the norm is to report to the office.

To be honest, I like working at the office. I like walking in the morning to get coffee and then to work. I like being in my workplace. I like being surrounded by people (although that doesn't mean I want to talk or make small conversations). It's just that I thrived in routine and going to the office is a routine that I have no problem with.

Getting Waxed

Yep, having a professional do your wax is infinitely way better than DIY-ing that shit out. I miss that.

On a side note, I've been watching videos of guys getting waxed, and it's really really hilarious. The way they react with having their back or their legs shaved, you'd think that they're dying. Hahaha.

Girls get Brazilian or bikini wax all the time, have they ever thought of that? LOL I can tell you for a fact that it hurts like hell but nothing in the level of me screaming like a baby. 🤣🤣🤣

Going Outdoors

I absolutely hate exercising, so to kind of circumvent my way around our universal need to exercise, I walk after work.

Before, I even change into my workout gear before I go on my regular walks but after a while, I just walk directly right after work. It's obviously nothing intense, and I'm not sure if it does anything at all. However, I'd like to believe walking "leisurely" for 5 miles every day is still wayyy better than not walking at all. 😉

Also, it gives me a chance to see all these dogs out with their humans. I miss that.

Eating at Restaurants

Don't get me wrong - I rarely eat at restaurants before COVID and just order take-out most of the time. However, I do miss those random ramen runs and donut breaks and going out to dinner with my friends once in a while to treat ourselves after a long week or long day at work.

Hanging Out at Coffee Shops

I love hanging out at coffee shops by myself. It gives me time to think without being completely alone, which I think is important to keep out anxious thoughts.

Looking Forward to Things

Whether it's planning for an upcoming travel, seeing someone soon, a visit back home to see my family, getting a puppy, or buying my own place - basically things that make us want to work harder in order to achieve them.

Right now, everything just feel so uncertain, I don't know if I should start planning for things to get worse or for things to get better.

Lastly, and I guess the most important of all, I miss not having to worry about dying from a virus because of something I had no idea what or infecting someone unknowingly. I miss not having to be scared simply for being outside or for helping someone I see on the street or for meeting someone new.

With all of these in mind, I really have no idea what the world will be like with COVID in the long-term picture or there will ever come a day when we can say it's behind us. :(