My experience during the pandemic wasn’t horrible. I didn’t lose anyone close to me and I didn’t lose any friends, but the pandemic did beat up my mental health. Being “quarantined” made me realize how I can’t be alone, and it made me realize how dependent I am towards people when it comes to my mind. I don’t like facing my own emotions, and I don’t like dealing with my emotions so I will “hide” them. I would distract myself by going out, seeing friends, watching movies, going to parties and stores, and I would have done anything for me to not be alone. This pandemic has made me feel more alone than I ever have. I was drowning in my head. I had so many emotions built up, so many feelings that I ignored, and then finally, I was alone. My own mind had attacked me. I was so overwhelmed with emotions I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know if I should cry, scream, or pray. I was so depressed that I didn’t leave my room. I didn’t want to do the things I once loved to do. I didn’t want to spend time with my mother, sisters, or brother. But then my friends started to force me to do things with them, and they didn’t take no for an answer. They got me out of it and they made me find my pre-pandemic self again! We couldn’t do much but just having them in my presence, hearing them laughing, made me feel so much better. I still keep my feelings to myself but I know now that I have and can talk to people who care for me and won’t judge me.