Positivity is key

Interview

I had the honor of interviewing my grandma for this final project. During the pandemic one of the most impacted groups of people were those 60+. They faced many challenges over the past few years and witnessed things they had not before. I chose to interview my grandma because she has a unique perspective on the past two years of the pandemic. Her experience is far from what mine was, which makes it all that more important to listen to her side. Though there were many differences, there were a similar connections between our two experiences.

Question 1: What lessons, If any, have you learned from the pandemic?

Alice: “I have not experienced anything like this. I was confined to the house for some time. What I learned was that, with life changes, you can’t get through them without positivity. I found myself being positive and hopeful that one day I would be able to return to my life before the pandemic. That positive mindset got me through those months.”

“I had friends who let the negativity get to them. They refused to realize our lives had changed   and we needed to adapt to the changes. I never regretted  staying in the house. I knew the best thing for my health, was to listen to professionals and my family and to do what was necessary to keep myself well.

A common theme between many was the need to remain positive. The pandemic was hard on everyone for varying reasons, however, through that struggle, people found ways to cope. Whether it was their positivity, or their long phone calls with friends, or their interest in a new hobby. People made the best of a terrible situation

Question 2: While you were in lockdown, what did you find yourself doing?

Alice: “I found myself wanting to do something that I had never done before, I dyed my hair purple. I just felt good about it. It was something that was fun for me to do since I couldn’t do many of the other things I enjoyed.”

“I also found myself talking to my friends and family on the phone. That was the only way for us to share recent personal life changes. Normally we were too busy to have lengthy conversations. By talking it out, we supported each other which helped us get through without negativity.”

The pandemic made people do things they would have never considered. With little contact to the outside world, other people seemed to only exist through a computer screen. The fear of judgement no longer existed or was at least lessoned. How could these little pixels on my computer actually judge me? It is not like they are real people? A slight exaggeration, but many people felt this way, including myself. This lead to changes, temporary or even permanent, in hopes to make the pandemic lock-down more bearable. With less judgment people explored more parts of themselves and learned what they did and didn’t like.

Question 3: Now that the pandemic is near over, what are looking forward to?

 Alice: The one thing I miss most are the family gatherings that we have not been able to have over the past years. Now, I am able to enjoy being with family. Our family was a support system throughout the pandemic, we worked together.

“I am X number of years old, but I learned that I am the child, and my children and grandchildren are the parents. They love me and always want what is best for my health and wellbeing.”

During the pandemic, everyone has a different experience to share, which made it even more important to hear what she had to say about her situation. Getting to have this talk with my grandma was a true pleasure. I was happy she was willing to open up in ways she rarely does. The pandemic brought people closer, it taught us that the people we have in our lives are to be treasured.