By: Alix Berman

There is no telling what the future holds or where you are going to be a year from now. Life is so beautifully and terrifyingly unpredictable; if you asked me two years ago where I would be right now, the answer definitely would not be contact traced, sitting in my bed, doing online school. Even if you asked me last year what was going on in the world, I would probably respond with “there is a disease that is giving us two weeks off from school”; little did I know that those “two weeks” would last over a year. 

This past year, the world has endured more than anybody could possibly imagine. From isolation, losing loved ones, and first responders working day and night, there is no small amount of gratitude. Therefore, as the world slowly returns to normalcy, it brings so much joy. Recently, it was announced that the age restrictions for the Covid-19 vaccine have lowered, allowing individuals 16 and older to receive the shot. Additionally, unlike a year ago, we can go to restaurants and meet our friends and family, who we haven’t seen in months, out in public. While the world is reverting back to how we know it, I can’t help but reflect on the heat of the pandemic and realize what it has taught us. While the world was crashing down in a pool of confusion, it put into perspective what really matters. If I were asked before the pandemic whether I’d rather go out with my friends or hang out with my family I wouldn’t have thought twice about the response: I would rather go out. But now, after lockdown, many families, like mine, grew closer in a way never imagined. It allowed them to spend quality time together without the distraction of social lives, extra curriculars, and the stress that comes from the outside world. So if you asked me, or numerous other teenagers, the same question presently, the response would not be as abundantly clear. Furthermore, as the world shut down, many family’s doors opened to furry friends. The Washington Post states that “Dog adaptations and sales soar[ed] during the pandemic,” enabling numerous puppies to fund a home. Thus, if there is any positive that came from this, it was that families found their ways back to each other, and a lot of animals found forever homes.

This past year the world has been a labyrinth: confusing and hard to navigate. While a large sum was cruel and undeniably wicked, as a society, we have found joy in the little things. Therefore, as you continue to move forward in life, remember the important things because the world is completely and utterly unpredictable.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images.