The Art of Adapting: A Letter to My Pre-Pandemic Self

As featured on BobCut Magazine in August, 2021.

A year and some months ago, I was excited to take a week off of school. Under the impression students had scored an extended Spring break and that I’d be back at my university “once it was all over…” what a silly, stupid phrase that is now. 

But I was hopeful, bright-eyed, and rocking my (since retired) rose-colored glasses with pride, as I’m sure many of us were. Needless to say, I have learned a lot since. Lost friends, dealing with sickness, moving in with strangers… It's been quite a journey. And if I could send a letter back in time (which I hope someone figures out soon), here’s what I would tell my one-year-younger self.

Change is coming, and it’s coming fast. 

I know you’re no stranger to change, but I also know you’ve had enough of it. You’re finally learning how good that silly, overused word “thriving” actually feels. More change threatens that.

Luckily, it doesn’t have to. Change helps us grow and evolve into better, stronger versions of ourselves, no matter how drastic or painful that change may be. Every experience, whether it's getting a haircut or moving across the country, helps us understand ourselves that much better. That’s the silver lining that we’ve all encountered at least once in our lives, and it’s one that you’ll come to love.

This year is going to be a whirlwind (as it will for millions of others), and moving in with new people will prove to be one of the more challenging adventures you’ll undergo. 

“Moving in with new people? What could be so hard about that,” right? They’re your friends, you’ve lived with roommates before, and you’re only moving to a new apartment in your college town. Shouldn’t it be a breeze?

It probably would have been if you were actually returning to the normal college life you left behind in March, which, I hate to break it to you, you’re not. Everything is going to be just a little bit different, slightly more strained, and a whole lot more confusing than you remember. 

I won’t lie to you, it’s going to be tricky learning how to navigate the uncharted, sometimes rocky waters of three new relationships in the middle of a worldwide pandemic. I mean, four completely different personalities all trying to cope with the mental, physical, and social strains of COVID-19 in college while confined to one small, small, apartment? Not to mention the Oregon fires locking you all in for two weeks, followed immediately by three out of four roommates actually contracting COVID-19.  

You’ll feel overwhelmed at times. You’ll feel confused, uncertain, and a little scared, but that’s okay. Because all four of you will. Hell, the whole world will. Uncertainty is a sign of the times, and adapting is how we’re going to get through it.

Adapt. To “adjust to new conditions,” as our good friend dictionary.com so accurately defines it. Also known as “change’s best friend.” In a constantly changing world, those who stay stagnant get very quickly swallowed up by the pressures of life. Without the ability to adapt, we’d all be much less sane. 

Thankfully, many scientists (and my 7th-grade biology teacher) agree that humans are arguably the most adaptable species on the planet. We are naturally inclined to adjust to different environmental pressures, which might make this whole article seem unnecessary.

But I argue that despite mankind's natural ability to adapt, there’s no universal way to do it. It’s not like you can pick up a step-by-step instruction kit from your local IKEA and boom, you’re good to go. Adapting looks different on different people, and I think that’s the key a lot of us are missing. For you, it’s about learning how to go with the flow, but for someone else, it could be all about planning, precision, and practice.

One of your future roommates, for example, is all about planning. She loves a good schedule and organizing the when, where, why, and how of life, something your spontaneous side won’t understand at first. But you need her structure as much as she needs your lack of it. Adapting to each other’s lifestyles will help you both grow and be better for it. All you need to do is keep an open mind and practice a bit of patience.

Making room for your temporary fifth roommate, however, will prove to be the most challenging. Once COVID-19 moves into the apartment come October, patience and positivity are the only things that will keep you sane. And Netflix, of course, but that will only work for so long.

Now that I’ve adequately scared you, I’ll try to calm you down a bit. Remember that silver lining I told you about earlier? Every experience helps us understand ourselves better, and this year, you gained a lot of understanding.

You learned your limits in social situations. You learned how to balance your emotions both under pressure and in regular day-to-day life. You learned to have patience and compassion for others and yourself. You gained a lot of perspective. Most of all, and best of all, in my much older (a little over a year) and far wiser (not by much) opinion, you learned to look at the bright side of life, even in the darkest of moments.

So, my young, naive, rose-colored glasses-wearing self. Change is coming your way, but there’s no need to be scared. Because change happens all the time, and you have all the strength you need to get through it already inside you. Not to mention, the most chaotic experiences make for the most interesting stories.

And for everyone reading this who’s not me from a year ago, I hope this helped you reflect on your COVID-19 experience, or helped you reflect on something, at least. We all endured this year together, and no matter how terrible or how terrific your year may have been, we can always go up from here.