I used to have a really busy schedule ⁠— school, extra-curricular activities like sports and clubs, hanging out with my friends… My days and weeks just flew by!

A little over a month ago, my school closed because of the pandemic. We still have lessons, but it’s different because we have to study from home.

Even though I usually have things to do, like schoolwork or helping my parents, sometimes the days feel so, so long and some nights, when I go to bed, it feels like it’s been days since I’ve actually done anything that matters.

When I scroll through social media, it looks like there are a lot of people taking this time to learn new skills, start a new hobby, or entertain themselves by joining in popular activities like cooking or dancing challenges.

There’s no new skill or hobby that I want to learn. I don’t really feel like cooking or dancing right now... But I can’t help but feel a little guilty. Am I being lazy? Is it okay for me to want to do… nothing?

The other day, I told my mom how I was feeling. She told me that everyone deals with stressful situations in different ways and that it’s perfectly okay for me to feel the way that I do.

My mom reminded me that lots of people, all over the world, are facing new restrictions on what they do and where they go because of the pandemic — and that this is sometimes called a quarantine.

She said that the reason we have to stay home is so that we all stay healthy, and that as long as I was doing that, I was already successful and accomplishing all I needed to.

After I talked to my mom, I felt a lot better. Sometimes there's still a little nagging voice in my head, telling me that I should be doing something more important with my time. But this is a stressful situation for all of us, and when I feel a bit low, anxious, or overwhelmed, I allow myself to just feel those feelings because they’re totally normal and valid.

And if what I really want to do right now is a whole lot of nothing? That’s exactly what I’m going to do!

Other than my school work, the only thing that I need to accomplish each day is to stay inside. I can do that, and so can you. We’re all together in this!

And who knows? Maybe next week I’ll want to take on that instant coffee challenge. But if I don’t? That’s okay too!