Riding Solo
One hundred and forty-eight days passed since starting my first day of quarantine living as a New Yorker. At that point, I’d been living in New York City for a little over two weeks and no longer commuting from New Jersey.
Two things were for certain – I was going to get well acquainted with my apartment and roommates. The concept of city living was also about to get some major adjustments.
I knew this year’s resolutions to grow as a person by traveling, having an enriching NYC living experience, exploring the long-list of NYC restaurants, and developing professionally were going to be placed at an abrupt hault.
Fortunate enough to work remotely – I wake up on the daily to greet and entertain me, myself and I. Aside from the occasional zoom chats – the reality that I would be mainly seeing only roommates and the person in the mirror for the unforeseen future, was daunting and gave me major anxiety. I had places to see and goals to achieve.
As time passed, my new reality of being quarantined on my own in a city I barely knew became more enlightening than expected. For a perfectionist this is a pivotal moment. Providing me with the honest realization that nothing will ever be perfect. A new beginning is just merely that – new. I was still the same person. Confronted with a list of unresolved trauma, flaws, unfilled dreams and expectations. The world was on a standstill that did not mean I had to put it myself on pause, this was the perfect moment to heal and act. 2020 was not cancelled. I repeat this year was not cancelled.
On the contrary, this was an opportune time to finally put into action my firm belief of “if there is a will there is a way.”
The start to make the person in the mirror happier, did not come easy. First – I conducted a thorough and honest assessment of myself. I learned to let go of people and situations that no longer brought joy into my world. As an optimistic person this was also another pivotal moment. There was an instant shift that occurred, when I found my balance. The resilience and ambition that was dormant within me began to wake.
I began to read books that were on my list for years. Started eating healthier (after gaining the quarantine 15). Completed some of those attainable goals set at the beginning of the year. Created a skin regime. Began a more balanced exercise and yoga routine. Essentially, I created habits and routines that will transfer over when all is open and well again.
Refocus and perseverance, describes this Quarantine for me. I moved to New York City thinking that those new experiences had here would enrich me, when in reality it was important to change my mindset and approach.
