LIFESTYLE NEWS - Young people are keeping busy during the lockdown, despite assumptions to the contrary.
Yes, we are watching series and playing video games of course, but we are also working on assignments, studying and cleaning our rooms.
At the age of 23 or thereabouts, my friends and I are all either working, or studying or both and so this 21-day lockdown comes as a welcome relief, an opportunity to give attention to the projects that we previously put aside or to catch up on unfinished work.
Whether it is working from home (me), working on assignments (my sister) or working on hobbies (some of my friends), work is the common thread. In a generation that is often derided as lazy, when I asked my friends what they were doing to keep busy during lockdown, they were all being surprisingly productive.
Those who are creatives are using this time to work on projects that had been set aside when work or studies got in the way.
Painting, sewing or making handmade leather items has been their way of keeping in touch with their creativity, making practical items for everyday use and staying sane.
As my generation is hyper-aware of the importance of mental health, some have made journal writing and time for reflection and meditation a priority.
Others, whose university schedules are making demands on their time even when those universities are closed, are working on assignments, studying for ever-present tests and exams and simply doing as much reading of peer-reviewed literature that they can to keep on top of their game when the new term starts.
I myself am an incurable bookworm and when I am not working or trying to teach my lovely, but dim-witted dogs new tricks, I am finally getting to crack open all the novels that I have bought, but never actually had a chance to read. I am part of a generation used to being hyper-connected with the world around us. We rely on technology for news, information on any topic under the sun, socialising and humour.
Because we rely on technology so much, the loneliness and boredom that some might experience during lockdown is not really something we are dealing with. Social media is a wonderful tool for finding community, even when you feel alone. Hearing how people from all over the world are dealing with various levels of restrictions due to Covid-19 gives us not only ideas on how to keep ourselves occupied and manage the stress that is caused by the lockdown, but also the knowledge that we are not alone in this fight.
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