COVID Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

1. The Insatiable Urge to Hoard Toilet Paper

It starts innocently enough. You walk into your local grocery store, and there it is—an entire aisle dedicated to the fluffy white rolls of happiness. Suddenly, an overwhelming desire takes hold of you. You need to have ALL the toilet paper. Every last roll. Your life depends on it.

Before you know it, you’re pushing a shopping cart overflowing with toilet paper, fending off other shoppers with a well-aimed sneeze. You’re pretty sure you saw someone in aisle five give you a dirty look, but you don’t care. You’ve got your precious toilet paper, and that’s all that matters.

If you find yourself experiencing this strange compulsion, congratulations! You’ve officially caught the COVID crazy. Don’t worry, though—it’s not contagious. At least, we don’t think it is.

2. The Sudden Realization That You’re a Master Chef

Remember those days when you could barely boil water without setting off the smoke alarm? Well, those days are gone, my friend. Thanks to COVID, you’ve discovered your inner Gordon Ramsay.

You’re whipping up sourdough bread like a pro, fermenting your own kombucha, and making homemade pasta from scratch. Your kitchen has become a culinary wonderland, and you’re the master of your domain.

Of course, there’s a slight chance that your newfound cooking skills might just be a result of boredom and too much time on your hands. But let’s not dwell on that. Embrace your inner chef and keep on cooking!

3. The Uncontrollable Desire to Talk to Your Plants

Look, we get it. Being stuck at home for months on end can be lonely. But when you find yourself having deep, meaningful conversations with your houseplants, it might be time to reevaluate your social life.

Sure, your fiddle leaf fig might be a great listener, but it’s not exactly the best conversationalist. And let’s face it—your succulent probably doesn’t care about your latest Netflix binge or your thoughts on the meaning of life.

If you catch yourself chatting with your chlorophyll-filled friends, don’t panic. It’s a perfectly normal response to isolation. Just maybe try to balance it out with some human interaction, too.

4. The Inability to Remember What Day It Is

Monday? Tuesday? Saturday? Who knows anymore? When every day feels like Groundhog Day, it’s easy to lose track of time.

You wake up, stumble to your home office (aka your couch), and spend the day in a blur of Zoom meetings and snack breaks. Before you know it, it’s 6 pm, and you’re not sure if you should be eating breakfast or dinner.

If this sounds familiar, don’t worry. You’re not alone. In fact, we’re pretty sure that the concept of time is just a social construct at this point. Embrace the chaos and enjoy the freedom of not knowing what day it is.

5. The Inexplicable Urge to Adopt All the Animals

Animal shelters across the country are reporting record numbers of adoptions during the pandemic. And honestly, we can’t blame people for wanting a furry friend to keep them company during these trying times.

But if you find yourself considering adopting your fifth cat or your third dog, it might be time to pump the brakes. Remember, pets are a long-term commitment, not just a cute diversion during quarantine.

• Before you adopt, ask yourself:
  • Do I have the time and energy to care for this animal?
  • Can I afford the cost of food, vet bills, and other expenses?
  • Will I still want this pet when life returns to normal?

If you can answer yes to all of these questions, then by all means, adopt away! Just remember to pace yourself. You don’t want to end up on an episode of “Animal Hoarders: COVID Edition.”

6. The Overwhelming Desire to Redecorate Your Entire Home

There’s something about being stuck at home that makes you notice every little imperfection in your living space. Suddenly, that outdated wallpaper and those mismatched throw pillows are driving you crazy.

Before you know it, you’re knee-deep in paint swatches and fabric samples, determined to give your home a full makeover. You’re pretty sure you saw Joanna Gaines in your dreams last night, cheering you on as you demolished your kitchen cabinets with a sledgehammer.

If you find yourself caught up in a home renovation frenzy, take a deep breath and step away from the power tools. Remember, you don’t have to do everything at once. Start with small, manageable projects and work your way up.

And if all else fails, just rearrange your furniture. It’s amazing how much a simple change in layout can transform a room.

7. The Sudden Obsession with Baking Bread

Ah, bread. The ultimate comfort food. There’s something about the smell of freshly baked bread that just makes everything feel right in the world.

During the pandemic, it seems like everyone and their mother has become a master baker. Social media is flooded with photos of perfectly golden loaves and intricately braided challah.

If you find yourself spending hours watching bread-making tutorials on YouTube and scouring the internet for the perfect sourdough starter, you’re not alone. The bread-making bug has bitten us all.

Just remember, baking bread is a science. It requires precision, patience, and a willingness to accept that sometimes, your loaves will come out looking more like hockey pucks than artisanal masterpieces.

But don’t let that discourage you. Keep on kneading, keep on baking, and eventually, you’ll be rewarded with the most delicious carbs you’ve ever tasted.

8. The Irresistible Urge to Start a New Hobby

Knitting? Origami? Interpretive dance? When you’re stuck at home with nothing but time on your hands, the possibilities for new hobbies are endless.

Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to play the ukulele, or perhaps you’ve been eyeing that cross-stitch kit on Amazon for months. Now’s the perfect time to dive in and explore your interests.

• Some popular quarantine hobbies include:
  • Gardening
  • Yoga
  • Painting
  • Photography
  • Learning a new language

The key is to find something that brings you joy and helps you escape the monotony of everyday life. And who knows? You might just discover a hidden talent you never knew you had.

9. The Unshakeable Feeling That You’re Forgetting Something

You know that nagging feeling you get when you’re sure you’ve forgotten something important, but you can’t quite put your finger on what it is? Yeah, that’s pretty much a constant state of being during COVID.

Did you remember to unmute yourself on that Zoom call? Did you feed the cat? Wait, do you even have a cat? The pandemic has a way of making even the most basic tasks feel like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole.

If you find yourself constantly plagued by that “I’m forgetting something” feeling, try making lists. Write down everything you need to do, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.

And if all else fails, just take a deep breath and remind yourself that we’re all in this together. We’re all forgetting things, we’re all a little bit lost, and that’s okay.

10. The Overwhelming Sense of Gratitude for the Little Things

Despite all the chaos and uncertainty of the past year, there’s one COVID symptom that we can all appreciate: the overwhelming sense of gratitude for the little things.

Maybe it’s the sound of birds chirping outside your window, or the way the sunlight dances across your living room floor. Maybe it’s the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning, or the feel of your favorite cozy sweater against your skin.

When the world feels like it’s falling apart, it’s the little things that keep us grounded. They remind us that even in the darkest of times, there’s still beauty and joy to be found.

So if you find yourself feeling grateful for the small, everyday moments, embrace it. Savor those feelings of appreciation and hold them close to your heart.

Because at the end of the day, it’s the little things that make life worth living. And if there’s one thing that COVID has taught us, it’s to never take those little things for granted again.