16 cosas que nunca daré por sentadas cuando todo esto acabe

Few months ago, we couldn’t have even imagined that something like this would happen to us. That people would be dying every day.

Que se cerrarían las escuelas. Que se prohibieran las reuniones religiosas.

Many changes have hit us. It’s happened so fast, it’s overwhelmed us.

La gente se autoaísla. El distanciamiento social se ha convertido en nuestro modo de vida.

Voltaire dijo una vez que todo mal engendra algo bueno y este autoaislamiento me ha traído algo bueno de verdad.

I’ve realized all those things I took for granted over the past years.

I’ve made a promise to myself that I’ll change that and that these things will be more important for me from now on. I won’t take any of these for granted ever again.

1. Abrazar a la gente que quiero

I’ve never been one of those people who liked to hug and kiss people they love all the time. I didn’t like to show my appreciation for someone that way.

However, this social distancing has changed that. I couldn’t bear the thought that something bad had to happen to the people I love.

And I am afraid that I haven’t shown them how much I love them and care for them.

This will change after these difficult times. I’ll hug all people I love so tight that they’ll realize immediately just how much I missed them and love them.

2. Salud

We don’t appreciate enough the times we are healthy, that’s a fact. When we don’t have any health issues, we don’t think about the fact that our health condition can change in an instant.

It really can. I realize it now, and I hope we all do. I’ve been postponing my annual check ups whenever I could.

I haven’t had time for it. I’ve been feeling fine and thinking that I didn’t even need it.

We should always have time for it, because we will regret it if we ever lose it. I’ve promised myself that, from now on, I will always make time for those checkups.

I will appreciate my health more and I’ll thank God every day for taking care of me.

I won’t take my health for granted ever again because it is the most precious and valuable possession I have.

3. Mi relación con Dios

Cuando ocurrió todo esto, empecé a rezar a Dios todos los días. Le pedí que nos protegiera y nos ayudara en estos momentos difíciles.

Le pedí que me protegiera a mí y a las personas cercanas a mí de este horrible virus.

Empecé a rezar todas las noches antes de acostarme. Una noche, me di cuenta de lo hipócrita que estaba siendo.

I was praying only in these tough times, where before this situation, I didn’t have time even to pray and thank God for everything He’s given us.

Voy a cambiar eso. Cada mañana, I’ll thank God por proteger a la gente que quiero y darme otro día de vida.

Every night before I go to sleep, I’ll ask Him to give us enough strength to cope with whatever challenges lie ahead.

4. Tiempo para mí

Tener algo de el tiempo a solas es importante for every person. During this social distancing period, we’ve had quite a bit of time to do just that.

I’ve finally learned to enjoy it. I’ve realized how relaxing it is and how it can recarga tus pilas. To be clear, I haven’t been lonely, I’ve just found time for myself.

I’ve thought about my life and some of the big decisions I made. I’ve thought about the people in my life and how much they mean to me.

I’ve promised to myself that I’ll never again take for granted that “me time.”

5. Mi familia

Sometimes after work, I’d be really tired and often miss some or other family gathering because of it.

On weekends I’d have other obligations, so most times I’d end up not visiting my parents and grandparents.

Ahora los echo de menos más que a nada y me doy cuenta de que la familia es realmente la parte más importante de mi vida.

Now because of coronavirus social distancing orders, I can’t visit them, even though I would like to see them more than anything.

I’ll never again neglect them, but try to visit them as much as I can. Another promise I’ve made to myself.

6. Salir con mis amigos

The same case. Sometimes I’d be tired and not feel like going out with my friends.

Después de un mes en cuarentena y sin ver a ninguno de ellos, veo que debo salir con ellos siempre que me inviten.

La vida es realmente impredecible. Nunca sabemos lo que nos puede pasar mañana.

That’s why we should use every minute to tell all the people close to us how important they are to us.

Dear friends, just so you know, you are my other family and I can’t wait for this all to pass and to hang out with you all.

Nunca más volveré a dar por sentada nuestra amistad.

7. Charlas con mis vecinos

I have to admit, sometimes I would avoid my neighbors just so I’d not have to talk with them.

Now I miss those little chit-chats because every time I go outside, I don’t see a soul.

It’s rather scary. I remember our streets full of kids playing outside; now everything is empty. Even when I see some of the neighbors, we can’t talk.

They just wave and I wave back. It’s the only communication we have now.

I’ve always had a decent relationship with all of my neighbors, but I’ll never take them and our chit-chats for granted anymore.

Ahora que los echo de menos, me doy cuenta de que esas charlas eran una parte importante de mi día y que los vecinos también forman parte de mi vida.

8. Mi trabajo

I know that we all hate going to work sometimes. I do, too. Sometimes I’d even be late because I’d hate it.

I wouldn’t be afraid of what my boss may say because I’d think that I’d find a new job easily.

Ver cuánta gente está siendo despedida por culpa del covid-19 me ha hecho pensármelo dos veces.

It’s made me realize that I shouldn’t take my job for granted because many people would like to be in my place and work to earn some money for their families.

9. Caminar o correr al aire libre

Sometimes, I go hiking in the mountains because I know it’s safe there and I won’t run into people there. It’s relaxing for me because I love spending time in nature.

But what I really miss is those walks with my friends in the park. I miss starting my mornings with a run. I hope this will be over soon and I’ll be able to get back in form.

10. Noches de cita

Un tiempo antes de que todo esto sucediera, le contaba a mi SO que estaba harta de nuestras citas en restaurantes y que sería mejor que yo cocinara algo para poder tener una cita en casa.

Well, this pandemic has made me eat my words – God knows how I miss our favorite restaurant and food there!

Hell, I even miss drinking decent espresso-based coffee. I’m not so great a chef and I swear I’ll never take our date nights out for granted again.

11. 11. Fiestas de cumpleaños

I’ve never cared for having a birthday party and never threw any. My friends know that and they’d organize a surprise birthday party for me every year.

Mi cumpleaños es en abril y este cumpleaños ha sido el más triste para mí.

Aunque recibí montones de mensajes de mi familia, amigos y compañeros de trabajo, me sentí poco querida porque esta vez estaba sola.

Once again, it’s shown me how thankful I should be for my friends because they’ve made me happy all these years on my birthday.

I’ve realized that deep down I do care for having a birthday party and cake, and  recibir regalos de mis seres queridos.

I have to say that I sympathize with all people born in April. Don’t be sad for not celebrating your birthday the way you wanted this year.

I know that next year, it’s all going to be much better.

12. Compras

I am so sick of online shopping. I can’t wait to go to the mall. I can’t even wait to go to the grocery store the way I used to, without avoiding people there or wearing a mask and gloves all the time.

I’ll never complain again about all those long lines in grocery stores or how people go crazy during Black Friday or some other big sale.

13. Viajar

I’ve always thought that I should only focus on my career, that I’d have time for all other things later.

That’s why I haven’t traveled a lot, even though I like it so much.

Now, I’ve already planned my next vacation trip, when this is all over. I can’t wait to hop on a plane.

I won’t even complain about those uncomfortable seats or bad service.

Descubrir nuevos lugares, tradiciones y culturas. Conocer gente nueva y aprender sus costumbres.

This is something priceless and I’ll never take it for granted again, and neither should you.

14. Lectura de libros

Since college, I never used my free time to read books – I didn’t have much free time and I always had something “more important” to do than read.

Now that my schedule is wide open, I’ve started reading again.

Me ha recordado lo bien que puede hacerte sentir la lectura de libros y que puede ser nuestra vía de escape de la dura realidad.

15. Ir al cine

Yes, I have a TV at home and I watch movies. But, you have to admit, it’s not the same feeling when you watch it at home alone and when you watch it at the movies with your friends.

I hope this will be over by September, because there are some great premieres then and I really miss watching those with my friends. Well, mostly I miss the popcorn, but still…

16. Libertad

I didn’t know how lucky I was for having the freedom to go anywhere I want.

I’ve been truly blessed because I’ve been able to travel, eat out and go to concerts whenever I want.

I didn’t appreciate it, but lockdown has made me realize that my libertad para hacer cosas when and how I want is definitely something I’ll never take for granted again.

Creo que de alguna manera esto es una lección para todos nosotros. Para apreciar más la vida. Para demostrar a nuestros seres queridos cuánto los amamos.

Cuidar mejor a las personas mayores. Agradecer a Dios todo lo que tenemos. No volver a dar nada por sentado en la vida.