Encuentro Mi Alegria

How do you find joy these days?

Amidst the pandemic, I always make sure to do something I like best. This helps prevent from making me feel depressed. Being an introvert, I diverted my attention and entertainment in social media, online games, novels, and sports. Let me show the things I find my joy.

1. Watching Anime

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F840484349187433460%2F&psig=AOvVaw0VZ-hLKO-q_9xDo0HEu5ZL&ust=1611054356901000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAkQjhxqFwoTCKjg3fTwrO4CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

I am a certified otaku so therefore watching anime is already a given for me. I really enjoy watching anime mainly because it contains wonderful scenarios that could never happen in my life.

2. Reading Novels

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.statnews.com%2F2016%2F07%2F19%2Freading-boosts-empathy%2F&psig=AOvVaw1jl6FMLPv2VIXqR97bw6B8&ust=1611054441884000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAkQjhxqFwoTCJi6qJ3xrO4CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

I usually find novels pretty interesting. It makes me imagine things that are far from my reality. It’s the same just like I watch anime.

3. Playing Online Games

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.internetmatters.org%2Fhub%2Fnews-blogs%2Fexpert-advice-on-gaming-addiction-in-young-people-and-children%2F&psig=AOvVaw0ntWq6tWjRXFAV5Pum5yqa&ust=1611054512150000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAkQjhxqFwoTCKjGz8HxrO4CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

Mobile Legends, PUBG, Wild Rift, and COD – these are one of the games that I usually play as leisure. I like playing these especially when I’m playing with my relatives; it makes the game more fun and exciting.

4. Watching ASMR/Mukbang

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2F%40yeukmancheung%2Fasmr-mukbang-satisfying-your-food-cravings-while-dieting-ddba0d7309a2&psig=AOvVaw2UrinEXGmdkS6u1EPHGPlC&ust=1611054595083000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAkQjhxqFwoTCJCgmebxrO4CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

I hate to say this but my guiltiest pleasure is watching asmr mukbang. When I’m hungry at the middle of the night and I have nothing to eat, what I usually do to satisfy my cravings is to watch these videos. I love watching mukbangers such as Zach, Hamzy, Bokyoung, MaddyEats, and Fume.

Coping With The New Normal

“This moment will be just another story someday”

The coronavirus outbreak may have been stressful for everyone. Such an unexpected event can be fatal that causes us to feel fear and anxiety – a lot would probably question this, “what will happen next?”. Whether you are a child, teen, or an adult, the mere idea of you feeling isolated and lonely today is inevitable. But hey, what’s more, to come if you keep on worrying about the things you cannot control?

Coping up with the new normal is extremely hard for me to be honest. I came to the point of worrying about my health and the health of my loved ones, constantly changing sleeping and eating patterns, and most of all worsening my current condition. Day, weeks, months had passed still I feel like the person who’s lost floating in the middle of the sea.

Even so, still, Alhamdulillah for everything. Despite this psychological distress, who would’ve thought that this might be an opportunity to focus and understand more on yourself and the person close to you? During this pandemic, I managed to deal more time with my loved ones. The things I have never done before became possible today. The lessons I never thought I needed came to me in such unexpected circumstances. Committing a positive attitude to everyone especially for myself prevents me from being unhappy. Being with someone to talk about your situation, asking for advice, and seek guidance and forgiveness from God. These simple ways help me cope up with the new normal.

There’s this Hadith which I found striking especially with our current situation. Take your time and read it.

The Holy Prophet said, “If you hear of an outbreak of plague in a land, do not enter it; but if the plague breaks out in a place while you are in it, do not leave that place” (Bukhari, #5728). He also said, “Do not graze a sick herd with a healthy one, [or, Do not put a sick patient with a healthy person]” (Bukhari, #5771; Muslim, #2221).

The Prophet accepted the oath of allegiance from a person suffering from leprosy in his absence, i.e., without taking his hand (Muslim, #2231). “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbor [or physically next to himself].” (Bukhari, #6018).

This ride may be bumpy for us, but with the help and guidance of God, everything will pass by.