“Laugh as much as possible, always laugh. It’s the sweetest thing one can do for oneself & one’s fellow human beings.” –Maya Angelou
All around the world, human beings are feeling the negative effects of COVID-19. Many have lost loved ones. Many have become gravely and dangerously ill. Many have self-isolated or quarantined in homes; uncertain of the next time they will be able to physically see family or friends. Millions have lost their jobs, and with that, a means to support themselves and their families. People worry every second of every day. It’s difficult to escape the news, to ignore updates, to question the leadership of someone who is supposed to care for an entire nation and to not become angry. Lately, it seems as if anxiety is the norm, worry is the norm, and stress is the norm. Unfortunately.
For me, personally, worry, stress, and anxiety have become paramount. These emotions play on a loop, and they dominate my days from sunrise to sundown. Since I work with young children at a learning center, I must now perform my duties through virtual classes. This mandatory change has drastically cut my hours, and my next paycheck will not be enough to support myself. My work as a freelance writer has also decreased. I believed I had financial troubles before COVID-19, but now I am really experiencing them.
Most of all, I miss being able to see my grandparents. They are my world, my support system, and without them, I wouldn’t be alive today. Although I can still speak with them on the phone, it does not compare to our visits. I cannot hold my grandma’s hand. I cannot hug my grandfather as I tell him that I love him. I cannot drink tea with them (my grandfather makes the best cup of tea). I cannot sit in their backyard in silence as we simply enjoy the nice weather.
I’ve cried a lot within the past week. I’ve had so many breakdowns, I’ve lost count. I feel as if I’m living in a nightmare; one in which it’s impossible to wake from.
I have to note that many are struggling more than I am… I consider myself blessed for the things I do have. But, if you’re anything like me, you’ve just wanted to escape it all for a bit. Smile, laugh and try to live this new normal for however long it lasts.
Well, thankfully we have two comedians that are helping us through COVID-19. They are Alyssa Limperis and Eva Victor. Ladies, I applaud you and I thank you for making me laugh when I didn’t think that was possible anymore.
If you’re not familiar with Alyssa Limperis, she’s a comedian, an actress, and a writer. She’s accomplished six years of stand-up, improv, and sketch. Needless to say, Alyssa is incredibly talented and very, very funny. Some of her credits include Conan, Last Week Tonight, and Ellen Digital. If you haven’t already, you should check out her work!
If you’re not familiar with Eva Victor, she is an actress, comedian, and writer. She’s blessed us with her presence in the writing and editing world, working for Reductress and contributing to Daily Shouts. Her talent and humor are incomparable. She’s absolutely hilarious! You should definitely check out her videos for Comedy Central and her funny Twitter videos!
While both of these astounding comedians are comedy gold on their own, they’ve recently joined forces at a time when we need laughter the most. Alyssa and Eva teamed up to give us one minute and fourteen seconds of pure joy. I smiled. I laughed, and laughed, and laughed, and laughed. And I forgot about my worry, my stress, and my anxiety.
You can watch the super relatable and super funny video here
I hope this video helps you, as much as it has helped me- especially during this time. Stay safe, wash your hands, and have a laugh.
