After being in quarantine for nearly two weeks, many things in my life has changed. Going into public is a thing of the past, and coming into contact with people is a rare occasion. While living in this life style I’ve realized I take certain things for granted much to often. I’ve learned what a blessing the small things in life truly are. I never noticed how important hanging out with friends, eating in restaurants, going to school and church, were until they were all taken away. I miss all of those things dearly, and I cannot wait for the day when we are all told that this nightmare is over.

My family and I have now been in quarantine for over two weeks. I’m not aloud to go into public and have been stuck at home with my two siblings. Most of my time is occupied by homework, Netflix, social media, basketball, art, and a new hobby I have picked up, playing the piano. Life in quarantine has affected my whole atmosphere. I go to sleep later than ever and my body seems to think it is normal. I haven’t spoke to my friends in what feels like forever and I have never listened to more music in my life. The thought of living in isolation sounds scary, but in reality its like an introverts paradise.

Since the corona virus outbreak in the U.S., many Americans have been advised to self-quarantine and limit going into public. The advisory also applies to myself, so here I am, the fourth day into self-quarantine. I’ve been home, alone, with my only company being the mounds of homework my teachers assigned. I’m bored, and I feel as if I’ve already eaten over half of my “quarantine snacks”. I have zero motivation to do anything, my laundry hamper is full and my to-do list keeps getting longer. Welcome to my life since the corona virus has taken over.

Being a healthy teenager living in Southern Ohio, I am not overly concerned with catching this sickness. I’m more worried about how I am going to spend my time on this extended spring break. I’m sure by the time I return to school I will be well read, and completely caught up on all of my Netflix shows. Stay posted for updates on my time in quarantine!

A short story depicting 20 year old, Journey Andserson’s arrival in New York City.

My head spins as I take in my surroundings, the sights and sounds of the city are foreign to me. Lights flash as people walk up and down the crowed street, the air is thick and unfamiliar smells slap me in the face. New York is more than I could have ever imagined, so far it’s nothing like the life I was living three days ago. With that thought, memories of my small home town filled with familiar faces crosses my mind. That life seems so far away now, as I stand surrounded by never ending buildings and strangers who don’t acknowledge my existence.

As I walk, the brisk New York wind brushes against my face, I receive judgmental glares from each person that passes me. I look down at my dress and understand why, the simple attire is plain and sweeps down to my ankles showing my worn out boots. This is unfortunately my best outfit, living in the hills of Virginia doesn’t permit for flashy dresses and elaborate accessories. Having a coal miner for a daddy while he and Momma raised eight kids made us what they call, “dirt poor”.

Being poor didn’t keep me from being happy as I grew up, I was born the third child to Eliza and John Anderson in 1884. As the first daughter, my daddy tried his best to spoil me with what little money he made in the mines. When I was twelve years old he bought me my first violin, or as I call it, my first fiddle. I never knew I had a knack for music and entertaining people until I started learning to violin. I practiced everyday, learning knew songs to play for Momma and Daddy.

I look down to my left hand as it carries that same fiddle in the worn black case. That instrument is my most prized possession. It’s almost the only thing I have left, besides a few articles of clothes and a ragged suitcase. I had to sell my other belongings to make enough money to pay for my train ticket to this big city. I don’t regret it quite yet, this place is very intimidating, but I’m sure I can make a life for myself here.

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
• Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
• What topics do you think you’ll write about?
• Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
• If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.