Tired.

If you had of asked me what I felt like before I got COVID-19 that is the word I would have used.

Tired.

Entering the third year of the pandemic and like so many of you I was tired of hearing about COVID-19, of trying to avoid it and missing out on things.

My mental health was seriously affected, and I know I was not alone in that.

The kind of tired I felt from COVID-19 was different.

I travelled to Robe on New Year’s Eve to celebrate what I thought would be the start of an exciting year to come.

I did not expect what would come of the next few days.

Of course I knew catching COVID-19 was a possibility by travelling to a seaside town heaving with partygoers, but it is quite literally everywhere these days, lurking around the corner waiting to strike.

I felt fine after returning home Saturday but due to my overcautious nature I decided to take a rapid antigen test on Sunday and the following Monday morning before I started exhibiting symptoms.

Both tests returned negative results.

It started out as a tension headache like someone had put a rubber band around my head.

I was so tired all I wanted to do was sleep and I developed a fever.

An icepack was my new best friend but that did not do much to sooth the ache in my spine.

My throat was dry and so was the cough that escaped my mouth uncontrollably.

I woke up sweating and lost my sense of taste.

That first day was the worst.

I somehow pulled myself out of bed by some miracle to watch the movie Don’t Look Up with my younger brother.

I remember thinking how ironic it was the movie was about the world ending when it felt like my world was crashing all around me.

That might seem dramatic, but I do not like being sick and I do not know anyone that does.

I do not think I have ever been so sick in my life.

The next day I lined up to get tested.

I waited for three hours in anticipation for a swab which was not as bad as expected.

The lady administering the test did tell me it would be easier if I relaxed.

She was right.

The staff there were lovely, it was nearing the end of the day and I know that more than anyone our front-line workers are tired.

Our hospital staff are tired.

Our retail workers are tired.

Our hospitality workers are tired.

We are all tired.

Whether you have COVID-19 or not I think everyone is tired.

When all is said and done, I will walk out of my house a stronger, more grateful, and resilient person.

I am lucky enough to walk out of this alive but I feel for those who do not.

My chest is tight with pain making it harder to breathe but it also aches with sympathy for all those going through a similar experience.

Everyone is affected by COVID-19 in one way or another, so my heart goes out to all of you.

My hope is that we can get back to a new normal – whatever that may look like.

Stay strong and safe.

I extend my love to the entire community; we are all tired so please be kind.