BAI’S CORNER

‘SO, NO ONE TOLD YOU LIFE WAS GOING TO BE THIS WAY…’

“When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year”. Could the FRIENDS theme song BE any more relevant for such a time as this? In fact, I do not think it has ever not been relevant and if you have a differing opinion, bite me! The endless jokes aside, we are living in a completely different world to what we imagined at the beginning of the new decade. It’s safe to say that we did not know life would turn out this way (controversial opinion: Big Brother definitely knew).

One thing we, as a global collective, have all struggled with over the past year – and I assume will continue to struggle with – is our everyday freedoms. Our physical freedoms we were used to holding were grossly challenged and changed in 2020. Due to travel restrictions, we could not visit friends and family who lived a certain distance from us, and travelling interstate was risky business. Activities like going shopping or going to the cinema were taken away for a certain amount of time. These things we abided by so we could #staysafe as a nation. Just when we thought it was all over, second waves of that dreaded virus we won’t name crashed on the Northern Beaches in Sydney, and our European friends are still currently experiencing much worse. In Brisbane, there was a hasty lockdown to contain the new UK strain of the virus. Will we ever get back the freedom we once had? That’s rhetorical because as if I, a 20-year-old uni student, can answer that question. Only time will tell friends.

In the time of our youth, we see freedom as the feeling of growing up, gaining independence, and even rebelling. Freedom is coming of age. I think the children that are growing up in this new world during and post-pandemic could have a different perspective. They will see freedom as a blessing and responsibility. Something we may not have realised until now.

Oh, 2020, the year that lasted a century. I mean, I am pretty sure I aged 10 years in April alone. Case and point: those wrinkles under my eyes and from my nose scrunch no longer completely disappear (LOL). Our sunburnt country came to a halt and all we could do was literally sit and see what was going to happen next. Coffee, memes and ‘socially distanced’ walks outside got me through those crazy months that whacked us in the face like the Whomping Willow. COVID-19 (oooop I said its name) wasn’t the only mind-boggling event to capture the planet’s attention. Christopher Nolan’s Tenet had us beguiled then confused for … well I am still confused now, and it has been over six months. In earnestness, 2020 identified that racial injustice was still prevalent, environmental change and issues were now on the back burner, and democracy was under threat. It was an absolute mystifying and, to a large portion, unjust year. As I am sure you would agree, our autonomy as citizens of this country and of the planet was greatly challenged and altered thanks to the year that was. Here we stand well into the New Year thinking, ‘what the heck is going to happen next?’ Or is that just me?

‘So, no one told you life was going to be this way?’ Yeah, last year was not what we expected, and it is easy to get stuck on and pulled down by every negative event and moment that amalgamated into the year that was. Last year was a catalyst for change. As we move into this next season and year, I am letting go of the fear and negativity that I once held onto. I am choosing to be conscious of the thoughts and intentions that I am putting out into the world. I hope you can do the same. I hope we can realise the weight and significance of our freedom. Not just as citizens of Australia but of the world. No matter the amount you have, what are you going to do with your freedom? With freedom comes privilege and rhetoric that needs to be stewarded. What we do with our freedom is utterly important during this moment in time. There is power in freedom. Use it wisely. Use it purposefully. Use it for the greater good. Who knows what 2021 will throw our way. The 20s are unknown territory. But unlike Elsa, let us not be afraid to go into the unknown (don’t @ me, Frozen II is spiritually woke and hilarious). Do not let fear reside. I have faith in us. With freedom there’s hope, there’s revival. I can feel the winds of change. Let’s go! The best is yet to come.