Ever since the covid-19 pandemic, our lives have turned upside down. We have all had to adjust to a new way of life of self quarantine, social distancing, daily news of infection rates, fatality counts etc. The whole world is going through a tough time, and looks like we will have to adjust and continue this way of life for the time being.

Please tell your story of how your life and daily routine has changed during this time, in a negative or positive way.  Here is an example of one story below.

Ever since the covid-19 pandemic, our lives have turned upside down. My wife and I have had to make some big adjustments at our work and at home. We both had to learn to do teleworking and take turns looking after our children while their schools are closed because of the pandemic. It has been hard to adjust. Like many parents, we have found getting work done while kids staying home is a lot harder than it sounds!

We had to cancel or postpone some of our plans, like camping during Golden Week and our plans to visit my mother during summer vacation. Not to mention, all social events like meeting friends, celebrations, eating out etc.

However, not all is bad. We have found ourselves in a situation where we have a lot of free time. Finding ways to pass time during quarantine can be hard, but also an opportunity to do things that we have put off due to our busy lifestyle.

One pleasant surprise was having more time to spend with my family. We’ve had the chance to play and do new things together as a family, like camping at home, watching kids programs or making up new games to pass time together. It is something that I will cherish.

Staying home, I’ve also had the chance to repot my plants in my balcony, wax the floors and get rid of many things I don’t use anymore.  I cant believe how much space I have saved getting rid of things! And the best part is we can’t go shopping, so there is nothing to clutter up the house. Now I can enjoy the plants in my garden and a clutter free house!

Last, and surprisingly, I was able to get in touch with many old friends who I hadn’t seen or heard for a long time. This was quite unexpected, especially during self quarantine. I guess many people have had similar experiences thanks to all the online video and messaging applications like line, skype, zoom etc. Suddenly, we all have a lot of free time on our hands and an opportunity to reconnect with everyone.

I know that times are hard, and many people are going through hardships. But I think it’s important to stay positive and get through these difficult times. I hope we can get back to our regular lives soon. In the meantime, let’s make use of the free time we have been given!

World / life turn upside down (idiom) to change someone’s life completely, often that is shocking and upsetting.

His life turned upside down after he lost his job.

Pass time (verb) do something to spend time.

During our flight, we watched movies to pass the time.

In the meantime during the time before something happens.  Similar meaning to “for now”.

We will check out of the hotel in 2 hours. In the meantime, let’s go and have breakfast. 

Time on my hands (idiom) to have free time and you do not know what to do with it. 

Now that I have retired from work, I have a lot of time on my hands.

clutter up (verb) to take up or fill a space in a disorderly or unorganized way

Having a lot of tools just clutters up my balcony.

Reading Exercise

Ever since the covid-19 pandemic, our lives have turned upside _________. My wife and I have had to make some big _____________________ at our work and at home. We both had to learn to do teleworking, and take ________ looking after our children while their schools are closed because of the pandemic. It has been hard to adjust. Like many parents, we have found getting work done while kids staying home is a lot harder than it __________!

We had to cancel or ________________ some of our plans, like camping during Golden Week and our plans to visit my mother during summer vacation. Not to ______________, all social events like meeting friends, celebrations, eating out etc.

However, ______ all is bad. We have found ourselves in a situation where we have a lot of free time. Finding ways to pass _______ during quarantine can be hard, but also an opportunity to do things that we have put ______ due to our busy lifestyle.

One pleasant surprise was having more time to ____________ with my family. We’ve had the chance to play and do new things together as a family, like camping at home, watching kids programs or making up new games to pass time together. It is something that I will _______________.

Staying home, I’ve also had the chance to repot my plants in my balcony, wax the floors and _______ rid of many things I don’t use anymore.  I cant believe how much _________ I have saved getting rid of things! And the best part is we can’t go shopping, so there’s nothing to __________ up the house. Now I can enjoy the plants in my garden and a clutter _______ house!

Last, and surprisingly, I was able to get in __________ with many old friends who I hadn’t seen or heard for a long time. This was quite _______________, especially during quarantine. I guess many people have had similar experiences thanks to all the online video and messaging applications like line, skype, zoom etc. Suddenly, we all have a lot of free time on our _________ and an opportunity to reconnect with everyone.

I know that times are hard, and many people are going __________ hardships. But I think it’s important to stay positive and get through these difficult times. I hope we can get back to our regular lives soon. In the _____________, let’s make use of the free time we have been given!