Let’s admit it, no one saw this coming. We had called this the “Wuhan Coronavirus” for so long, never anticipating that it would affect the US like it has.

   But now we are here: school is online until at least the end of the month, stores and restaurants are closing, and borders are shuttering.

  With that, the government and health experts are advocating for “social isolation,” which basically means to avoid gatherings and stay home.

   I am not the type of person to be told to do by the government, but I value the health and safety of my community. So, I have been reluctantly changing weekend plans that I wished to attend. 

   With my changed plans, I have encountered a sea of boredom, with waves of loneliness crashing down on me all day.

    I could not let some virus ruin my happiness. What people are now beginning to realize is that happiness does not have to stem from going out all the time. People are realizing what truly matters is the basics in life: spending time with family, exploring nature, and other home activities.

    With the immense free time I have acquired through online “classes,” I have taken the time to truly engage in all these activities.

    Recently, I have spent much more time with my family. With my dad’s office closing, my mom working from home, and all the kids learning from home, the family is all together again. Just as if Spring Break came early.

    I’ll admit, it’s been a little hectic. Four boys and two working parents doesn’t always mix well 24 hours per day. But this exposure is healthy. So much in today’s world families are not together whether it be because of work or social obligations. Families are finally starting to be together.

   As much as I love my family, I’m not spending all my time with them. I have taken another large block of time to be with nature.

   Increasingly in the world today, people are spending less time around the natural world and more with the artificial world of work, tech, and cities. 

   Since I have much more time on my hands, I have made it a point to explore nature and be outside as much as possible. 

   My outdoor activities have included walking my dog at Blueberry Hill for extended periods of time, playing in the street, going on walks with my family, running, and a trip down the shore.

   The point I’m trying to make is that social distancing does not mean less enjoyable moments, and it could actually be taken as an opportunity to build a stronger relationship with your family and do things you would not normally do under a busy schedule.

   This time off has allowed me to reevaluate what really matters in life. Everyone should make the most of the time they have away from the classroom to build their character and make improvements to their lives.