Laxamana, Sam Germayne-DVM1A-UTS Magazine

INNER SELFDecember issue
Lifestyle

3

TAKEAWAYS
FROM THE
PANDEMIC

OVERCOME
THE NEW
NORMAL

Sam Germwaiythne Laxamana
DVM-1A | GE-UTS

DEC 2022

S.G. Laxamana

A word from the
author, Sam

I, Sam Germayne Laxamana, Thanks to my siblings who are
am grateful for having the there to make me remember that
opportunity to share with everything I struggle with are
everyone my experiences during relatable and normal, to my
the pandemic, and how these father who has supported us
made me realize how to truly throughout, and to my mother
appreciate everything I have. who was with us until the start
With this, I would like to thank of the pandemic, I would like to
my supportive family for making thank her for teaching us how to
the years under a pandemic care for each other and leaving
bearable. us full of love. Without them, I
wouldn't be the person who I am
today.

2

Overcoming DEC 2022
the new
normal.

How has this pandemic changed your life?

Thinking back then when everyday was constantly busy with no room for
pondering, I felt like I was always running out of time. After exhausting days of
going to school for almost everyday, a break that we once thought would last for
2 weeks happened to be 2 years. The break that we needed eventually became the
break that we immediately wished to be over. Despite this, I was appreciative of
the circumstance as we had time to be with our loved ones. I have gotten to know
more about my family--even though being with them since birth--the more I
spent my days with them instead of my peers. However, as much as I was
grateful, this "new normal" has took a heavy toll on me and my work ethics as I
have been constantly stuck in burnouts due to the lack of stimulating work
environment. I still remember the day when I got tired from working to the point
where my body physically gave up. To conclude, I believe that the pandemic
changed my life for the worse as I was one who wasn't able to adapt completely to
the new lifestyle.

Now that everything's going back to normal, I feel overjoyed and anxious at
the same time because it would take another phase of adjusting after years of
isolation.

3

DEC 2022 "If you were to have
a superpower, what
is it in your past
year or present that
you would wish to
change? Why?"

Not being one of those cliché wherein they say
"none", I personally would say that I wish I
could've changed A LOT. If I indeed have had a
superpower that would allow me to change
something in my past or present, I would go
back in time and change my bad habits into good
ones. That way, I could've spent my time in a
more productive way instead of going with the
flow. I would also wish that I could've went my
way to interact with more people to gain peers and socialize. I usually am an introverted

and socially awkward person, yet I believe
that it would've been better if I
strengthened my bonds with more people
around me. Now that I'm in the stage of
growing to be an adult, having a lot of
connections would be essential as time
goes by. Watching my peers befriend each
other inspired me to get out of my comfort
zone and try to ease my close-knitted
personality--which I would prepare for
before attending my face-to-face classes in
2023.

With this in mind, entering university
seems like a scary and overwhelming
thought but I suppose that I'll be having a
great time once I've gotten used to the new
environment.

4

If you have the power to DEC 2022
make things remain as

they are, on what aspect
of your life would you
like to apply it?

Having the power to make
things remain means that I
would be able to make things
constant. If I were to be able
to, I would be delighted to
maintain my good
relationship with the people I
hold dearly. Living in a
pandemic has made me
appreciate their company, as
they stood by my side when I
had to deal with major
problems and stressful
situations, thus, I understood
how special they mean to me.

Realistically thinking, change
is inevitable so I am prepared
to encounter any unexpected
situation. In worst-case
scenarios like losing a loved
one, I already have adapted
well with the grief.
Overcoming this difficult
circumstance, I believe that I
can face any problem head on.

5

DEC 2022

3 things I have
realized or
learned about
this pandemic:

1 One must find ways how to maintain themselves physically,
mentally, and emotionally healthy. Be it eating good food, spending
time with family, or watching a good show, I've been understanding
how to look out for myself in these trying times while everyone
struggles to get by. With this in mind, I am not expecting to be taken
care of by others as they have their own lives to tend to, and I'm not
bothered by that. One thing in particular made me reflect on is a quote:

"Self-care is not
self-indulgence, it is
self-preservation."

-Audre Lorde

6

DEC 2022

"Social distance doesn't
mean we aren't
together."

Learning how to save and be resourceful. Experiencing living in a 2
pandemic firsthand made me grasp on the values of material things,
and prioritize the needs over the wants. Spending money of food and
house bills became first on the list for our household. Other expenses
like get-togethers and outside meals were put off for a while. In spite
of this, I believe that the members of the household have understood
the situation well and why such limitations are to be taken.

3 People will always need each other in times of struggle and
hardships. Being human means being inherently social, as primates
have always been studied to be close to their kin. During this
pandemic, I have witnessed how people sacrifice just to aid others
who are in need--which brought back my faith in humanity. An
instance of this is how frontliners risked their safety by aiding
patients that are infected by the virus. This act of humanity has
inspired me to hope for the better amid uncertainties.

7

Special thanks

I would like to thank everyone who have taken time to read this work.
I would also like to offer my gratitude to Ma'am Sally Trinidad for giving me the opportunity to share my experiences

and insights in this issue.
I hope all is well with you.

INNER SELFDecember issue Lifestyle