This article is one in a series of stories featuring real experiences, thoughts and feelings from young people living in Cardiff during lockdown. To see the other stories, please click here.
Q1. During lockdown, what is the most important thing that you’ve learnt about yourself?
Lockdown has been an extremely challenging time. With lots of time to reflect, I think the thing that I learnt most about myself is that I find it hard to do nothing. I like to keep busy and feel like I have purpose with things to do. I find comfort in being busy and organising my time. With having less things to do over lockdown, I’ve learnt that it is okay to relax and tried to practice being okay with not always being occupied.
Q2. What has been your most memorable moment during lockdown?
During lockdown, my sister was pregnant with her first child. She gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, making me an aunt for the first time. The birth of the little man was such a beacon of hope and light in the darkest of days when our family felt lost with the impacts of the pandemic. I felt like I had responsibility when looking out for her and also warmth knowing that even though the world has come to a standstill, life does still go on.
Q3. Explain what things that you miss most from your life before COVID-19. How will you not take them for granted in the future?
Freedom is the biggest thing that I miss from my life before COVID-19. The lockdown due to the pandemic made me feel trapped and isolated. I was unable to be the independent person that I had grown to be whilst at university. I missed not being able to make decisions for myself, see people when I’d like and venture out when I want. Being able to make decisions for myself and have autonomy is something that I now note and am vey grateful for.