It’s been one full year now that the way I used to live was abruptly put on hold. My lifestyle changed. I embrace change and love when a new chapter begins and usually, those new beginnings are the results of decisions and directions I took, but last year it unexpectedly came from a virus and how the entire world reacted to it. I still could feel shocked, helpless, or powerless because there are a lot of things that are simply outside of my control. But I don’t feel like this. I feel increasingly excited. How come?

Lately, I had a conversation about dealing with isolation with someone who spent 2.5 years in prison. We agreed that it is our mindset that decides how we take this experience. It’s us who decide how we let it change and impact us. He mentioned that some people who even had a release date tried to take their lives. Others came in looking “fresh” as he described and left prison with no teeth for example. The drugs they took “destroyed” their bodies and health during prison time.

People who can quickly adapt and find ways to change their attitude towards current restrictions, limits, or any other unwanted changes will deal much better with the ongoing lockdown, isolation, and recession than the ones who struggle to adapt. Our current pandemic can easily last those 2.5 years. Your mindset is your superpower.

For some it’s easier to develop a positive mindset; for others, it’s not. I believe that your past has an influence on it. For example, we pick up how our surrounding is reacting to difficult circumstances - your family and friends. Your cultural background and role models are also influencing you.

One of my friends asked me “So, how is it going in the UK? Do you see a light at the end of the tunnel?” To be honest, I don’t see the light. I don’t even see the tunnel anymore. I’m taking a different road now and live a life that feels quite independent of travel and socialising restrictions.

I’ve learned something really important during my teenage years when I was an outcast who was so happy when she could go back home after school. In many ways, I didn’t like school. I was absolutely not the cool one. Way too serious, not fun, and super quiet. However, I was curious. And this was my personal superpower!

I loved learning, I loved being home and in my own world. I loved my hobbies, and I loved helping my family with household and garden work. I felt safe in my own world. The majority of my free time I spend studying for school, writing essays, short stories, poems, songs, doing different sports, playing piano, painting, drawing, working in the garden, cooking food, singing, and reading a lot. My extra-curriculum seemed packed but I loved that. It fed my curiosity which simply made me feel happy and content (and yes in control). My curiosity was and is independent of what happened and happens around me. To me, that’s very powerful.

We could look at our current isolated situation like being that teenage outcast who’s spending most of his/her time by him/herself and at home. But we don’t say how sad that this looks, no, we say wow he or she is using the time and really investing in him/herself.

What have I changed to adapt to the now?

• How I spend time - with people, activities, and online
  If you miss your old life from 2019, I totally understand that. One of my biggest lessons learned during lockdown is who I spend my time. And when I’m allowed to spend my time with only a small circle of people or with just one other person, or not far away, I chose more consciously. I have less time to waste on things that don’t really serve me.

• How I plan for the future - invest in myself, understand more and keep creating
  I personally like to keep the balance between two things:
  1) something to look forward to, experience, and achieve.
  2) staying flexible, agile, and open-minded to adapt and move on quickly.

I hope this was a bit of help for you. Remember, your mindset is half the battle and a superpower.

The abstract artwork is part of a new series that I’m creating right now called “Awareness”.