I am writing this article on April 13, and we are a few weeks into our new normal. There has been a lot of heartache and pain in our country. Many people have experienced loss of loved ones from COVID-19. Some of my friends’ parents have lost their jobs, and everyone’s lifestyles have been altered tremendously. These times have spawned a lot of feelings of anxiety amongst people of all ages. Everyday tasks, such as going to the grocery store, are making many people anxious. 

So how do we, as teens, stay hopeful in these very uncertain times? We simply accept the reality of our current situation and try to adapt to our temporary normal. 

My friends are being very supportive of each other—reaching out over social media, doing group FaceTime, watching movies together virtually on Netflix. These small efforts can make us feel more “normal” even though the reality is that we are living through a worldwide pandemic. I have also turned to reading books on mindfulness and meditation. I practice deep breathing, listen to music, stretch and set small goals for myself each day to take my mind off what’s going on outside. 

Even though teens are sometimes perceived as self-absorbed, we definitely understand the severity of this pandemic. We are thankful for our parents that provide for us and for our schools that have adapted their academic plans to continue our learning and create a sense of normalcy. We are grateful for those who continue to try and figure out how to fight this virus, and for everyone on the front lines that are serving our community in these times of distress. 

Stay safe and be well. 

Isabella Dussias is a 17-year-old singer-songwriter/composer from New Jersey. She enjoys writing about issues that are important to today’s youth, and she believes music is an important outlet to connect people and share messages through the creativity of lyric and melody. For more information, please visit IsabellaDussias.com.