Written by Laura-Mai Tith
Three and a half months ago I flew from France to start my Erasmus year in Malta. Who would have guessed that I would end up spending 14 days in quarantine at Christmas? Surely, not me.
It all started with my Covid test result. My plan was to go back to France to enjoy the Christmas holidays and spend time with my family and friends. I decided to book a test to make sure I was safe.
And what a surprise it was when I was called the next day and told that I had tested positive. The feelings that ran through me at that moment were not quite clear. I was given quarantine instructions. Questions were fired at me as if I were being grilled by the FBI.
The first few days were the toughest. You are drained of motivation. Drained of creativity. Of inspiration. And you don’t realize you are going to be locked up. Because of this you have to organize your living space. Organize your schedule. Cancel plans.
After a few days, the rhythm is good except the really bad sleep rhythm pattern. You start to think that after this imprisonment you can change your life, your body, your mind. You start to come to terms with the fact that it’s not that bad after all. During this ‘house arrest,’ I called the covid center three times. Called the 145 number twice. I was asked to hold the line, listening to music for one whole hour. In the end, I can’t say that this punitive term has enhanced anything in my life. I am certain of one thing however. It is essential to enjoy every moment because it is at time like this, when you cannot do what you want that you appreciate what you’re missing.