What are you doing to stay positive during this challenging time? — Assembly

In Assembly’s “Around the world” series, girls sound off on the topics that matter to them, from the companies they’re dreaming up to the issues they wished more leaders talked about.

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“With the 24-hour news cycle, it’s difficult to not constantly feel just a little worried or paranoid. I find that the best thing for me to do is to pick up the projects I’ve forgotten about and start new ones to keep myself occupied. Along with my mum and sister, I have started a little project to sew reusable sanitary pads for some girls in Zimbabwe. Lately, I’ve also started learning to make bread, it’s the kind of task that takes enough time to enjoy both the process and the result.”

— Raramai, 19, from South Africa and Zimbabwe, living in Denmark

“During these rough times of the pandemic, I like to stay at home painting, playing the piano and spending quality time with my family. It keeps me distracted from all the chaos.”

— Diana, 16, Mexico

“I think about all the things I want to do when this is all over. I call my friends and ask them how they are doing and sometimes I just listen to them breathing while doing my homework because that makes me feel safe and good and normal. I write something every day: I write about my feelings and the things I do every day and about my dreams and my fears during these crazy times.”

— Martta, 14, Finland

“As this pandemic is having such a great impact on our daily lives, including not going to school, not meeting friends and family, and not being able to go outside as much, we must stay positive. I am staying positive by helping others and performing random acts of kindness such as assisting neighbours and reaching out to people in need. Despite the negative effects on our lives, I feel this pandemic has brought my family and community closer together while showing us what is important in life and giving us time to reflect on how our choices impact the world around us.”

— Arissa, 14, Canada