LIFE

Reminiscing about whipped coffee, the "Blinding Lights" dance trend and cottagecore mood boards? You might just have yourself a case of quarantine nostalgia.

This March marks four years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. And with life (mostly) back to normal, more than a few of us are feeling a little wistful about the lockdown days of 2020. Just peep the quarantine nostalgia topic on TikTok, which has over 68 million views (and counting).

"My friends and I have been talking about how we really miss some parts of staying at home—like the free time we had to hang with our families and to try out new hobbies," shares Maggie W., 16.

The pandemic was tragic, and for many, 2020 was a year marked by serious struggle and grief. And while of course no one is nostalgic for the chaotic and difficult circumstances that led to the lockdown, it's OK to acknowledge you're missing the coziness, creativity and connection that came from being stuck at home.

So whether you're looking back on the fabulous flexibility of virtual school or pining for jigsaw puzzle nights with your fam, take these lockdown lessons into the here and now...

@momonatamada

Lockdown lesson: R&R kinda rules.

Before the pandemic, your life probably looked a little like this: Wake up, catch the bus, school, extracurriculars, friends, homework, scrolling, bed. Repeat...again and again.

Then, all of a sudden, that day-to-day routine simply...disappeared.

"The quarantine period was a break from the relentless pace of modern life," says psychologist Dr. LeMeita Smith. When everyone had to hunker down at home, it's likely you traded a fairly hectic existence for a totally empty calendar. It was like a monthslong snow day, where you could press pause on all your stressful commitments and, well, just be.

"Lockdown was a chance for me to totally reset, mentally and physically. I wasn't constantly running from one thing to the next. The forced downtime made me actually relax and take care of myself," says Alexa S., 17. "Now that life is back to normal, I'm so overwhelmed again."

Make it happen: Just because things are pretty much business as usual (Student council meetings! Lacross tryouts! Squad sleepovers!) doesn't mean you have to kiss self-care goodbye for good.

Consider this permission to kick back again. Write down your top relaxation routines from lockdown (bubble baths, baking muffins, taking naps), then set aside an hour a day to restore yourself (write it in your planner so you don't end up overbooked).

And if you're bogged down 24/7? Drop a commitment from your week. Sure, you might be sad to pause your tutoring gig, quit voice lessons or say no to that party, but blocking out time where you have zero plans is important to feeling clear-headed and ready to take on whatever's next.

@pining_for_paperbacks

Lockdown lesson: Family bonding = unmatched.

From morning walks to board game nights, lockdown gave us tons of quality time with our OG crew.

"I played video games with my brothers and did yoga with my mom," says Hannah K., 16. "Lockdown made me realize how much I value those relationships. Now everyone is super busy again, and it's harder to connect."

It's true: Without friends and crushes around to distract, a lot of girls formed deeper connections with their quarantine circle—whether you were learning TikTok dances with your sis or scrapbooking with Grandma.

Make it happen: Yes, you *can* still carve out meaningful bonding moments—it just might take a little planning in advance.

First, decide on a group activity, like making a fancy homemade dinner for your fam, a Harry Potter movie night or a trip to the ice rink. Then, pop it in the GC with lots of advance notice and a few options for dates: "Hey, let's plan our Jones Family Annual Ice Skating Night! Does this Friday or next Sunday work best?"

And if you find a rare Tuesday where you're all home at the same time? Before you trudge to your room, propose a spontaneous speed round of Heads Up! or ask if anyone wants to make Rice Krispies Treats. Even if it's only for 20 minutes, chances are everyone in your crew would secretly love some bonus quality time together.

@dixiedamelio

Lockdown lesson: Hone your hobbies.

Painting watercolors, gardening, making sourdough: For a lot of us, lockdown was a time for passion projects. And whether your stuck-at-home era allowed you to revisit an old interest (finally pulling that dusty ukulele out of storage) or find a new one (starting a YouTube cooking channel), lockdown fostered a lot of creativity.

"Quarantine helped me figure out what I truly enjoy. I discovered some hidden talents and tried new hobbies that make me happy," shares Katie M., 17, who learned how to crochet. "I miss being in that creative mindset and having time for activities where I could get completely lost in the process."

Make it happen: Nostalgia often comes from boredom, explains psychologist Dr. Shaneé C. Morgan. We're just going to say it: Some of your quarantine wistfulness might be fueled by feeling uninspired at the moment.

Get back your creative spark by purposefully setting aside time to explore what makes you tick. Not sure where to start? Think about what you loved to do when you were in elementary school (Songwriting? Beading bracelets?) and go from there. You don't have to master anything or even finish it—just jotting lyrics in a journal or buying new crafting supplies counts. You'll know when you have enough inspiration and motivation to see something through.

@crochetedbybecca

Lockdown lesson: Connection is key.

The pandemic brought the world together in a unique way. With so much uncertainty came an unfamiliar but comforting sense of common purpose.

"Lockdown was a big adjustment, but it was a universal thing. Everyone went through it: celebs, teachers, friends. I felt more camaraderie from all the Snap Stories and YouTube videos where people talked about what they were experiencing," says Maggie.

Remember the car parades for health care workers, touching quarantine commercials and endless messages of hope on IG? Yes, it was a trying time, but we witnessed so much positivity and goodness as we banded together for a common cause.

One quick look at the news will remind you that we need that shared sense of purpose more than ever—and it's totally normal to miss it.

Make it happen: Looking to channel that feeling of collective closeness? Get involved with a cause that means something to you. Whether it's environmental issues, human rights advocacy or another area, find a nonprofit group or an online community that centers on whatever you're passionate about. You'll have the chance to meet new friends and mentors—and bond with others to make a positive difference in the world.

Because if the pandemic taught us one thing, it's that we can make *way* more of an impact when we're all working toward the same goal. And in times of adversity, we're so much stronger when we can face a challenge together.

@headcountorg

A moment of gratitude

Sure, we might miss some aspects of lockdown, but let's be honest: A lot of 2020, well, just plain stunk. We're feeling beyond thankful that these things have made a welcome return...

In-person school: Learning algebra via Zoom was just...not great. Can we all now agree that interacting with teachers and bonding with friends is kind of the whole point of school?

Squad hangs: There are only so many rounds of Kahoot! a girl can take. From deep sleepover convos to thrift shopping sprees, nothing beats spending time with your girls when you can *actually* see them.

@alexabrutus

Seeing your grandparents: Remember those days when you could only wave to Pop Pop through the car window? Yeah, go give him a hug right now.

Real dates: We've never been more relieved to say bye to the dreaded crush FaceTime sesh. Because it's *way* easier to have romantic moments IRL.

@itscaroxline

Hey, girl! Just wanted to let you know that this story originally ran in our February/March 2024 issue. Want more? Read the print mag for free *today* when you click HERE.

Top and slider image: @shayrudolph

by Kathleen O'Neill | 3/13/2024