Skip to content

Prologue: How is Life for a 25-Year-Old Before the Pandemic?

February 26, 2020

Here we go again. I am feeling the exhaustion that comes with my ordinary life. Will I remain the same forever?

I was living an average life before the pandemic happened. I used to rant about the minuscule things forever like they are the world’s biggest problem.

After all, I am a 20-something corporate woman trying to make her legacy. Young. Ambitious. Determined. I have my life planned out down to a tee. Vision boards. Goal Trackers. Progress Monitoring. Planners. I have everything that would make me stay laser-focused. I pour my resources into the achievement of my dreams.

Nothing can deter me from achieving my goals.

Or so I thought.

Everything came to a sudden halt when the coronavirus came. My plans were deemed useless. I was disoriented by the plot twist no one predicted (and wanted). I was clueless. I was a mess. I was imprisoned by the high walls that the pandemic built. I stayed in one place even if I was meant to discover the world.

A year had passed since the quarantine was first declared. I may have gotten used to breathing in this new life, but my heart yearns for the past. Yes, I know reminiscing will never turn them back. Yet please indulge me. 

Memories were rushing down playing like my favorite TV show in front of me. I could not make myself look away or turn off the show. I said I would not care less but I know I do. Deep inside I wanted to see how my past life goes.

This was my life before the pandemic.

It was a typical workday. I was in the law office, taking care of some documents.

The television was on and the news was all about the COVID-19 – its first Philippine case, alcohol shortage, and the grave situation in Wuhan – the epicenter of the virus.

Back then, it felt distant. Faraway. COVID-19 was a tale I hear on the news.

It happened to people from the other side of the world, not to me. I was indifferent. I had far more important matters to attend to. I was busy beating deadlines and meeting expectations. I would not be affected anyway.

I was even annoyed, “So what, if people buy more alcohol? They could just manufacture more.”

It was my last taste of a normal day.

Then the president announced the lockdown.

The show shifted to a new scene.

We were in a meeting. Our manager asked us about the seminar we attended in Manila. More lessons were taught. We shared stories. We exchanged jokes We laughed. We were carefree – absorbed in our little realm. Life was much easier back then.

Another scene played.

I was in the mall – admiring bonsais in the exhibit. I was busy taking photos, observing the plants, and making unsolicited opinions.

It was mundane. Nothing extraordinary. At least we were free.

At times, I would go through my journals, and photos to reminisce the times I can move around. There was nothing holding me back except my own limitations. Now, I have a lot of problems to worry about – my family’s health, my safety, the future, among others.

I took the little blessings for granted – traveling, eating out with colleagues, going to parties, attending exhibits and bazaars, meeting new people, watching in cinemas.

All of these are gone.

I should have been thankful.

I am used to complaining for eternity. Now I am grateful.

I wish I could go back. I know I never will.

February 19, 2021

This week is like the others. Nothing monumental. It is only about going with the routine. That is okay. Steady is fine. Steady is safe.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *