Nyasha Koko

Reset, Rediscover and Reconnect

When this year started, I recall complaining almost daily that I was tired or too busy. Whenever people asked me how I was, I would always say, “I’m fine, but tired.” It was the ringtone of my life. Before the pandemic, I was constantly on the move, as a newly married woman, recent university graduate, new full-time employee and an active member in my church community, a lot of things kept me busy. As news on COVID-19 became more and more, fear for an unknown future became a new reality. Additionally, being an immigrant in Canada, and having all my family in Zimbabwe, I had concerns about being far from them.

Though the pandemic has been difficult in many ways, I was happy to be home and finally rest! It was a much-needed time to reset and connect with my husband, family, and friends. Although I was confined at home by the social distancing rules, I was blessed to have not lost my job, and still be able to work from home. It was also a time I learned a lot about myself, discovered hidden talents like painting, and finally got a chance to express my love for cooking and baking through social media. Finally, this pandemic taught me not to take anything for granted, all the things accessible to us and all the people in our lives are precious, and now I go through each day with lots of gratitude.