I create a bubble around me… and I am at peace

It has been over a year since this pandemic started, and ever since, I, like everyone else, have been locked inside with my family. It is not easy. At first, I was confused about everything. Everything was happening so suddenly - I had no idea that the lockdown had even started at first! Slowly, the confusion turned into fear about what might happen next. And then I was overcome with sadness because I couldn’t go down to play with my friends in the park. I missed that the most. Of course, I also miss going to school and meeting my teachers and classmates.

But now I have become used to this pandemic and try my best to keep myself happy and entertained by talking and chatting with my friends. Some days I make origami and that keeps me busy for some time and my mom and older sister are happy that I am off their backs.

One thing I’m grateful for is the fact that since I’m home almost all the time, I have learned many new skills; I taught myself watercolour art. I wasn’t particularly good at it in the beginning but I am loving it now. I am also trying my hands at sketching, poetry and story-writing. I have taught myself something called bullet journaling, which is another skill I am learning to enjoy. What I do, is paste scraps of paper onto pages of my journal (usually following the same colour pattern) and write on top of them, or doodle flowers around them. Think of it as scrapbooking.

And then the usual routine of studying also takes away some time. Even though there are no online classes during the summer break, there is homework that is uploaded on the school portal.

But then there are things that I simply miss. Like my art classes. I used to go to art class, where my medium was charcoal, but since I can’t attend them anymore, I paint on spare canvases lying around the house. Although I don’t do it very often, whenever I do, I feel calm and at peace. I create a bubble around me and whenever I pull out my journal or sketchbook, nothing can disturb me for now.

Every other day, you can find me painting on the back of postcards that I am 110% sure I will never actually send to anyone, but I still love making them.

I have also started reading a lot more than I did before lockdown. Last year, I finished Harry Potter, and this month, I’ve been reading the Percy Jackson series that keep me occupied throughout the day. It’s hard to describe what these books are about since each one is vastly different from the previous; different stories, adventures, more characters, and more intimidating and challenging villains, but if I had to sum it up, it’s about Greek demigod’s set in a modern-day world, generally trying to stay alive and fight off monsters and even the gods themselves, all the while trying not to start a Great War between the gods. Other than these, I have a whole list of books I want to read that will probably keep me occupied the entire year!

I am also trying my best to be helpful at home. Sometimes I help in doing the dishes, watering the plants and making my bed every morning. Although the pandemic has proved to be difficult, it’s good to make the best out of a bad situation. It doesn’t make the bad go away, instead give you more hope in a time when you really need it.

Recently it has been raining a lot, and I love waking up to the sound of the rain and the smell of wet grass. It feels so cosy and comfy.