16 cose che non darò mai per scontate quando tutto questo sarà finito

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

Che le scuole sarebbero state chiuse. Che le riunioni religiose sarebbero state vietate.

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

Le persone vengono messe in isolamento. L'allontanamento sociale è diventato il nostro stile di vita.

Voltaire ha detto che ogni male genera un bene e questo isolamento mi ha portato davvero qualcosa di buono.

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. Abbracciare le persone che amo

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. Salute

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. Il mio rapporto con Dio

Quando è successo tutto questo, ho iniziato a pregare Dio ogni giorno. Gli ho chiesto di proteggerci e di aiutarci in questi momenti difficili.

Gli ho chiesto di proteggere me e le persone a me care da questo terribile virus.

Ho iniziato a pregare ogni sera prima di andare a letto. Una sera mi resi conto di quanto fossi ipocrita.

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.

Ho intenzione di cambiare questa situazione. Ogni mattina, I’ll thank God per aver protetto le persone che amo e per avermi dato un altro giorno di vita.

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

4. Tempo per me

Avere un po' di il tempo da soli è 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 ricaricare le batterie. 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. La mia famiglia

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.

Ora mi mancano più di ogni altra cosa e mi rendo conto che la famiglia è davvero la parte più importante della mia vita.

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. Uscire con i miei amici

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

Dopo un mese di quarantena e senza vedere nessuno di loro, capisco che dovrei uscire con loro ogni volta che mi invitano.

La vita è davvero imprevedibile. Non sappiamo mai cosa ci può accadere domani.

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.

Non darò mai più per scontata la nostra amicizia.

7. Chiacchiere con i vicini

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.

Ora che mi mancano, mi rendo conto che quelle chiacchierate erano una parte importante della mia giornata e che anche i vicini fanno parte della mia vita.

8. Il mio lavoro

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.

Vedere quante persone vengono licenziate a causa di covid-19 mi ha fatto pensare due volte.

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. Camminare o correre all'aperto

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. Serate fuori casa

Qualche tempo prima che accadesse tutto questo, stavo dicendo al mio compagno che ero stufa dei nostri appuntamenti al ristorante e che sarebbe stato meglio se avessi cucinato qualcosa per avere un appuntamento a 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. Feste di compleanno

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.

Il mio compleanno è in aprile e questo compleanno è stato il più triste per me.

Anche se ho ricevuto tonnellate di messaggi dalla mia famiglia, dagli amici e dai colleghi di lavoro, mi sono sentita in qualche modo non amata perché questa volta ero 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  ricevere regali dai miei cari.

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. Shopping

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. Viaggiando

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.

Scoprire nuovi luoghi, tradizioni e culture. Incontrare nuove persone e conoscere le loro abitudini.

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

14. Lettura di libri

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.

Mi ha ricordato quanto la lettura di libri possa far sentire bene e che può essere la nostra fuga dalla dura realtà.

15. Andare al cinema

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. Libertà

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 libertà di fare le cose when and how I want is definitely something I’ll never take for granted again.

Credo che in qualche modo questa sia una lezione per tutti noi. Per apprezzare di più la vita. Per dimostrare ai nostri cari quanto li amiamo.

Prendersi più cura delle persone anziane. Essere grati a Dio per tutto ciò che abbiamo. Non dare mai più nulla per scontato nella vita.