Two words describe my covid experience: routine and anxiety.
Me and my family always had this routine: get up a 6am, get ready, be out the door for a walk at 7.40am, do school from 8am till 3pm and then do my own stuff.
I hated it because, being a Year 9, I wanted to sleep in, but I knew it was helping me in the long run. I mean, look at me now, nearly 6 ft tall, size 12 ½ feet and a lot fitter than I used to be thanks to that routine!
Lock down was a bit crazy for the Trice household, mainly because of all four of us working in one house – I never realised our kettle was so loud until then. But I learned to live with it just like everyone was having to live with Covid.
One thing I am having to live with is a big old wad of anxiety.
I was never an anxious person before lockdown but part of me thinks that without the anxiety, I would not have become the young man I am now.
Going back to school, the youth council and church - even though it is less than before Covid - has definitely helped me with the anxiety.
Sadly, not all the people in church are there, as some have sadly died, but being back in my church community means more now. They have all said how good it is to see me, and they are showing me that, despite my anxiety I still fit in, I still belong.