Being Single Through A Quarantine Crisis
When the Governor of Nevada, Steve Sisolak, decided to close down all nonessential businesses last week (including casinos, nightclubs, and bars) my job as a cocktail waitress was swiftly put on hold. I realized that I wouldn't have a work schedule to adhere to for at least thirty days while our nation moved forward trying to do everything possible to stop the spread of COVID-19. I sat there in my Las Vegas apartment for a moment and wondered what I should be doing for an entire month! In the back of my mind, all I could think about was the fact that I really wished I had a boyfriend during a crazy time like this. Being able to spend a mandatory thirty days off of work with a boyfriend, snuggled up, and being all close without having to deal with the outside world sounded peaceful to me amidst all of the chaos going on. I thought that being close with a significant other would've potentially helped me see a silver lining to how depressing, scary, and alarming these unsettling times have been.
My parents and siblings live in California so rather than spending all of my time solo in Las Vegas, I decided to make the three and a half-hour drive down to California to spend my time with them instead. Being around my family definitely eased some of the feelings of anxiety and loneliness I was experiencing. At the end of the day, no one wants to be alone and we all naturally and instinctively crave human interaction. Being close to my parents and my siblings helped me with that.
Before everything in Las Vegas closed down, I was able to socialize as a cocktail waitress in a casino for my job every night. I was friendly with the bartenders on staff as well as the other cocktail girls. It was always exciting for me to be able to meet the new people that would come in as guests on a nightly basis as well. Before the nightclubs and bars closed, I was able to enjoy my nights off work with my closest girlfriends or go on dates with new guys I'd match with on Bumble. After the city of Las Vegas shut down, all of those doors towards social interaction immediately shut down too.
Upon arriving in California to my parents' house, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statewide stay-at-home order. I realized that I would be stuck at my parents' house for a while but I wasn't upset about it. I knew that Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak was making the smartest and safest decision for our state by shutting down Nevada. I also knew that California Governor Gavin Newsom was making the smartest and safest decision for his state by shutting down California. Their decisions were put in place to save the lives of thousands of individuals at risk of contracting COVID-19 and dying from it.
I will admit that I felt tempted to reach out to an ex-boyfriend of mine that I still considered to be my "comfort zone" because I wanted to spend time in his arms, feeling safe and protected during this frightening season of life. Our relationship ended months ago but being around him, even post-breakup, often would ease my anxiety and make me feel better for a while. After sharing a few conversations with him, I realized that running back into his arms (just because of the current circumstances) was not right or healthy for either of us.
So far, while being quarantined with my family, I've started a fitness and nutrition channel on YouTube with my sister. I've also played video games on Nintendo Switch with my teenage brother, recorded countless videos of the family puppy doing new tricks she's learned, and binge-watched The Office for the tenth time. I attempted to bake a new dessert recipe (Marshmallow Blondies), FaceTimed with a couple of my besties, and had in-depth conversations with a guy I matched with on Bumble… someone I intend to meet once the quarantine advisement comes to an end. I write Young Adult fiction novels and during this time, I've written six chapters of a brand new book.
Being single through a quarantine-style situation like this kind of sucks but it's nice when you don't have to face it totally alone. Before all of this, I didn't realize just how grateful I was to have my familial unit. Now that I've lived through something like this, I won't ever be able to take my family for granted again. At the end of the day, the most important thing right now is that people who are ill or are at risk of falling ill are taken care of and that the curve of exposure and infection is flattened as much as possible. Surviving this quarantine, single or not, is the goal.
Share This Article
