Day 126

Hello and Welcome!

This is my first post on vocal creators and I spent several weeks deciding what I was going to talk about. This morning, I woke up and just needed to type so this post is not informational, informative, persusasive, dramatic, etc. This is my headspace on day 126 of COVID-19 hitting Arizona, US. Buckle up, it's a rough ride because this girl is confused as fuck!

March 18, 2020 Gov. Ducey shut down the state of Arizona under State of Emergency. We had a few days notice of this event taking place. At first, admitedly, I did not take the shut down seriously. I was one of the people who didn't wear a mask when I would hit the grocery store for refreshments or go for a walk...because well...those were the only two things we were really allowed to do. I didn't wear a mask, not because I was in denial or being rebellious, but because I didn't want to conform and honestly I was uneducated about the virus at the time. So, I guess maybe I was being a little rebellious? We were under state of emergency for about 3 months. From March 18th to around June 1st.

During these 3 months, I went through the most extreme roller coaster ride of emotions I have ever been on in my life...and trust me...that's saying something. I went from depressed, to productive, over to anxious, then to excited, to bored, to super busy, and a lot of the time that was all in one day! I will say one thing though...I learned how to make a damn good dry martini and old fashion! I spent hours upon hours on tik tok - yes I am one of those people (insert eye roll here). I'm 26 and I made a tik tok at the start of quarantine and now I'm addicted (shameless self promo- follow me - chasingmine27). I had a birthday in the middle of quarantine...that was awkard and unfulfilling. My hair has been died I believe 4x now...anyway! Those 3 months put me through hell, but I also learned something, I learned that EVERYONE has an opinion on the virus and that no matter what you say, you're wrong! So I learned to just keep my mouth shut about it and do what I want.

Upon opening up on June 1st, Arizona just kinda dove right in and I took advantage. I'm horrible. I went country swing dancing and I ate at bars, I did what you're not supposed to do, nobody hate me please. This fun little break from quarantine lasted a whopping month because you know what happened? On June 30th, 2020, Gov. Ducey put out a press release saying on July 1st, all gyms, lake activities, bars, and something else I don't remember will close! Over night this happened! People were PISSED. Not so much because we had to shut down again, but because of the short notice. It is now July 22nd and I am unsure if we will be reopening on August 1st or not...probaby not...but I hope so cause I really miss the gym. Oh also, fun fact, I moved out here almost a year ago by myself. My family and best friends are in PA and I can't go see them! It's been 7/8 months since I've seen them and I have no idea when I'll be able to go see them again. So...we love that! Things have changed for me since the start of all this, I've changed, my attitude has changed, Arizona has changed, here's a summary...

Now, it's June 22nd 2020, we are 126 days into COVID-19 hitting Arizona, I wear a mask religiously and we are number 1 in the country for COVID-19 cases, love that for us! Our state is partially shut down again because we failed the first round of opening back up so let's give it another go! I believe our schools are supposed to be opening back up per parental discretion, which is terrifying. Restaurants are allowed to be open at 50% capacity. Bars are closed again. If you don't wear a mask you will get fined. I see information EVERYWHERE about wearing a mask, finding a vaccine, this a government ploy, COVID is a lie, COVID is deadly, opening the schools is fine, opening the schools puts lives in danger, and man...I am confused as all hell so I made a decision!

I am not going to conform, necessarily, but I am just gonna sit back, do what the CDC tells me to do to protect other people (I personally don't care if I get the virus at this point), and Imma focus on me! So, hi, let me introduce myself. My name is Lauren. I am 26 and I live in Arizona. I am an abstract artist with an Etsy store (LaurensAcrylics). I am also a singer/songwriter working on my first single! I am a grad school student mastering in Mental Health Counseling (trauma and childhood disorders) and I have an abundance of unpopular opinions, an anxious mind that runs wild, and a knack for telling "filthy" stories. I hope you enjoy my mish mosh of content to come, if the people who run this website allow me to produce it for you!

Happy Quarantining!

Lauren <3