‘I sort of feel like I’m stuck in my own world right now’
ANNA BERGLAS
Anna Berglas thrives on challenge.
She co-edits Nepean High School’s student paper, Knightwatch; wrote and directed a children’s theatre production; performs with the school improv team and was set manager for the student musical Guys and Dolls, which was cancelled this spring because of COVID-19.
When that all ground to a halt, it was a shock.
“In school, there were always so many goals I was working towards. To finish a set piece, or to do well on the test, or to organize a group outing or participate in it. Now it seems like life has really slowed down a lot.”
She said she is finding it harder to sleep: “There is less stimulation, I think my mind is a little quiet.
“Or it could be me subconsciously not being able to adapt as well as I think I have,” she said. “I’ve been rationalizing and saying, ‘I’m at home all day because it’s not safe to go outside, and I’m trying to prevent the spread.’
“But subconsciously, it’s still such a big change that I can’t convince myself, 100 per cent, that this is my new lifestyle. I’ve been having dreams about school and school work. So I probably miss it more than I think I do as well.”
Berglas said she and her friends initially did a lot of video calls and Netflix chat parties after schools closed.
Seven weeks of isolation later, “I think the novelty of it has worn off.”
Communicating with friends takes more effort when you can’t see them in person, she said.
“Probably because at school you see people during lunch and you don’t think about it. But now, if I want to communicate with them I have to make a conscious effort to organize a call and think of things to say when things aren’t necessarily happening in my life.
“I miss it being easy.”
Berglas said some days she doesn’t feel like texting anyone. “I just want to see them, or hug them. I don’t want to have to put in the effort to make conversation.”
But there has also been an unexpected benefit to the pandemic, she said.
“Since I’ve been stuck at home I feel like I’ve bonded with my parents more.”
In her old life, Berglas was always rushing off somewhere, often missing dinner at home with her parents and two younger brothers. “Now I’m having a sit-down meal with them twice a day ... just having that time together with nothing else to do has led to some interesting discussions that we wouldn’t have had time for previously.”
Berglas said she has also gained a new appreciation for her mother, doing her own job from home while rushing to make lunches and help the boys with homework.
“It must be difficult to juggle so many things.”
Berglas said she’s trying to help out more.
It all still feels a bit unreal, said Berglas.
“I sort of feel like I’m stuck in my own world right now, and my own world is my house.”
But she’s enjoying small pleasures, like doing schoolwork at a sunny table in the front of the house.
“I feel the sun every morning, which is nice.”