Before COVID, I had so many plans and visions, but they all came to a screeching halt. It’s a similar story for a lot of people, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t taken a toll on my mental health.

When everything finally clears up, I’m going to spring forward with steps so big and confident that they will make Neil Armstrong’s “giant leap for mankind” look minuscule in comparison! Here are just a few of my goals for when COVID finally says sayonara.

In-Person Concerts

I can’t wait to attend concerts again; there’s nothing like live music! I’ve been avoiding crowded areas because I just don’t feel safe—the only options I’m content with are online music events, which are not nearly as exciting as the real deal.

I miss being surrounded by my friends, and by fellow music lovers who are just as inspired by the concert experience as I am. At least, sooner or later, there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy my favorite bands up close!

Visiting My Family without Anxiety

I’m even more excited to reconnect with my family! With the difficulties of COVID, it has been incredibly hard to spend time with my loved ones; it also doesn’t help that my parents are older, and an infection could be life-threatening. I miss my father’s hilarious stories and my mother’s delicious home cooking, and I miss seeing my aunts and uncles and cousins for the holidays!

Still, it’s better to be safe than sorry; I don’t want to unintentionally harm any of my family members. When COVID is over, though, we are going to celebrate like we never have before!

Refreshing My Appearance

I’ve aged a lot in the last two years and look worse than I ever have. I feel like a ghoul with so many lines and wrinkles, and I know that things will only continue to go downhill unless I do something fast! This is why I’m going to schedule a mini-facelift — it’ll help me refresh my appearance and get a fresh start.

My hair has also gone gray, so I’ve decided to dye it either black or blond. I’m also planning to begin a comprehensive skincare routine to keep my skin looking smooth, and want to buy a new, shiny electric razor that will help me keep my Viking beard in check!

There’s so much to do, but it’ll all be worth it: I’ll look and feel better than ever!

Traveling Overseas

Traveling during COVID has been a nightmare: delays, cancellations, and strict regulations galore. I’m looking forward to fewer inconveniences and trips to amazing spots! The Bahamas, for example, has been on my radar for a long time, but I’ve never gotten around to visiting.

Soon enough, I’ll be sipping on tropical drinks without a care in the world. I might even visit Europe for the first time; there are so many picturesque places across the Atlantic. Which country will I go to first?

Pursuing My Hobbies with Instructional Classes

For years, I’ve wanted to take art and music classes, but haven’t quite had the time, and thanks to COVID, it is only really possible to have lessons over Zoom. My goal is to eventually attend classes in-person and not only let my creative juices flow, but meet fun, likeminded people!

I also want to get better at chess, especially because, during the height of the pandemic, there was a huge boom in chess interest. I’m not all that good at the game—maybe I don’t have the mind for it—but I would love to learn tactics from the greatest players of our generation!

No matter what interests I decide to stick to, I don’t want to pursue them over the internet.  I want to be able to enjoy my hobbies in great physical company!