By Brooke Geery
With life upended for everyone in the world, it’s important to stay positive and look for whatever rays of sunshine may come. Things may not be perfect, but they’re definitely going to get better eventually. In the meantime, be thankful for what you have. Here are 10 bright sides, or silver linings, to appreciate during this pandemic:
Way better delivery/takeout options – I recently moved back to Vermont from a real food city— a place where you could literally find any type of cuisine whenever you wanted it. So, pulling up Uber Eats in Rutland to see a choice between fast food and pizza was a bit of a disappointment. And while many restaurants have closed, others have shifted operations to take out and delivery, featuring special menus. Eat well, and please, leave a tip.
Delivery booze! – On March 20, the state of Vermont changed its laws so that to-go cocktails are now a thing. More specifically, establishments with first-class liquor licenses can do takeout, curbside delivery, and beverage delivery. Second-class licensees can allow for delivery and curbside pickup of unopened alcohol.
No social pressure to do stuff – Sure, maybe you like going out and hanging out with people, but there’s also something nice about getting some solid alone time. You don’t have to worry about FOMO (fear of missing out) because no one else is doing anything.
More time with your family – We’re in this together as a society, but closer to home, you’re really in this with your “isolation pod” i.e. your housemates. Take this chance to spend some quality time with the people you love. Play games, do a puzzle, cook a meal. Before we know it, you’ll be back to your busy life, so enjoy this time while it lasts.
Lots of great free content– Artists can and will still create in times of strife and right now, there’s nothing better to do with this stuff than put it online for free. Whether it’s a concert on Facebook live or authors reading children’s books on Youtube, there’s plenty of entertainment out there. Go find it!
Catch up on housework. – COVID-19 has really hit just in time for spring cleaning, so resist the urge to sit around in your own filth and use your free time to clean it up! Rake the yard (or shovel it, as this week might have it), wash the floors, disinfect everything, and tackle those jobs that are normally too much after a full day of work. Not only will you have a better environment for yourself, but you may even slow the spread of the virus.
Once in a lifetime experience – It may be a bit of a stretch, but you will remember this forever. When we make it through the worst of the pandemic, we will come out a stronger, more unified society. Yeah, it hurts right now, but it can only get better.
Great for the environment – I hate to say that the viral photos of dolphins in Venice and elephants drunk on corn wine in China are fake, but there is no denying the shuttering of factories, limited cars on the road and other general upheaval of industry are great for our planet. How’s that for a silver lining?
Save money! – Maybe you’re saving because you don’t have any money to spend, or maybe just because cutting out daily trips to the bar really is cheaper. Either way, this pandemic is great for learning to be frugal, not to mention the deals offered by businesses looking to off load stock or just stay afloat right now.
You are helping by doing nothing. – No generation before us has ever had a more simple directive. Stay home. Do nothing. That’s all you have to do to be part of the solution! You can do this.
