Christine Troyano | Truly Raw Stories

Stories from the COVID-19 Years

Christine Troyano — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 16:30:53 +0000

COVID-19 Collection

The Day the World Shut Down

First-person stories from the pandemic years—preserving not only what happened, but what it felt like to live through a defining global moment.

March 2020 changed the world almost overnight. Streets emptied. Borders closed. Schools, workplaces, businesses, and family routines were disrupted by uncertainty unlike anything most people had experienced before.

Truly Raw Stories began with one simple idea: history should not only be told through headlines. It should also be remembered through the voices of the people who lived it.

When COVID-19 spread across the globe, the headlines tracked infections, deaths, lockdowns, and government policies. But they could not fully capture the quieter moments—the missed funerals, lonely birthdays, canceled plans, exhausted healthcare workers, frightened children, separated families, financial strain, unexpected kindness, and the strange stillness of cities brought to a halt.

Those experiences are history too.

Every story matters.

The COVID-19 pandemic touched every life differently. The stories in this collection preserve those lived experiences—not as statistics or headlines, but as memories shared by the people who were there.

Why These Stories Matter

Beyond the Statistics

Numbers record scale. Personal accounts reveal fear, grief, adaptation, hope, humor, and the ordinary details that statistics cannot preserve.

Many Different Realities

The pandemic was global, but it was never one shared experience. Location, work, health, family, age, income, and identity shaped every story.

A Record for the Future

These stories help future generations understand not only what happened, but how people made sense of it while they were living through it.

Explore the collection

Stories from the COVID-19 Years

Explore nine firsthand accounts of lockdown, disruption, family life, survival, loss, adaptation, and unexpected connection during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zimbabwe

The Archive Is Still Growing

Lived history does not belong to one country, one language, or one kind of experience. Contributors are invited to share their own pandemic stories in the language in which they can speak most honestly.

Share Your Story

;The post Stories from the COVID-19 Years first appeared on Truly Raw Stories.

Amanda’s Lockdown Story

Christine Troyano — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 05:34:26 +0000

Amanda describes the closeness her family found during lockdown alongside the strain of shielding, disrupted medical care, home-schooling, and the constant work of protecting a medically vulnerable family member.

Hi, I am Amanda from Australia. Lockdown was one of the best times that I experienced. At a time when we were all busy with our jobs and studies, it gave us the opportunity to spend time together as a family and enjoy delicious food cooked at home.

My Mum, brother Louise, and my grandparents were here too. We loved spending quality time together and focusing on making some great memories, even while things were difficult.

For the past nine weeks, our family has been shielding at home. This has become a different way of life for us, with my husband working from home upstairs in our children’s playroom and my kids, Heidi and Noah, home-schooling themselves.

However, having an incredibly fragile kid during lockdown does not come without difficulties. My mother was undergoing emergency tests and had an operation that was scheduled to take place soon.

The operation has now been delayed, and experts are trying to find the best possible way to conduct the tests. In the meantime, my mom unfortunately has to “put up with” the body spasms that take over his body during the night, without us understanding the cause and without care.

This is in addition to having to manage one of his complicated situations, waking him each night in a less-than-desirable way in order to keep her alive.

During our early days of shielding, the toughest thing was getting groceries and other important items. Our nominated person for doing the food shopping was my husband, Stuart, who took extra care to reduce the risks.

I am talking about putting antibacterial cleaner on keys and glasses, washing his clothing, and going straight into the shower the second he stepped through the door.

Fortunately, we now have a government home-delivery slot for vulnerable people and a food parcel full of important products every week. This has been a godsend because it means there is less need for unnecessary exposure.

Lockdown was full of ups and downs, but it was also one of the best periods we had spent together in ages. We got to know much more about one another, and one of the best things that happened was that I learned to cook.

My mum has always been the best cook and used to make the most delicious food during the holidays. This time, I made sure to write down the recipes she follows.

It can feel nearly impossible not to go out for walks. The weather has been beautiful.

We are very fortunate that last year we made our small garden accessible so that we can enjoy some fresh air and exercise, but it is not quite the same as going out.

From time to time, we are allowed to go for a rare stroll, but only with many extra precautions in place.

When we go out, my mum does not use her wheelchair because of the possibility of germs getting on the wheels. Yet she loves being high up and unable to touch anything in the backpack carrier.

We are still concerned whenever we leave home. We prefer very isolated routes to avoid seeing others, and we carry wipes and hand gel.

Because of COVID-19, our two most recent holidays were canceled, and we have not had a vacation since just before Christmas. That place is usually our refuge from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Even though we are at home, we still have the same responsibilities to juggle, and in some ways they are harder to manage.

There is my mother’s care, her treatments, and virtual appointments that can last up to two hours.

Because of the current situation and the need to manage difficult issues at home without as much assistance, our medical problems now feel heightened.

Home-schooling is another responsibility added to the list, and Stuart is also balancing his full-time job.

We miss our little breaks very much and hope that everything gets back on track so that we can live as we did before the coronavirus gave us such a difficult time.

I come from a family that is seriously waiting for a vaccine to bring some relief back into our lives.

About This Story

Amanda’s account combines family connection with the practical and emotional pressures of shielding, home-schooling, interrupted medical care, and protecting a medically vulnerable family member during lockdown.

Editorial Note

This story has been lightly edited for grammar, punctuation, clarity, and readability. Conflicting family relationships and pronouns in the archived source have been retained because Truly Raw Stories could not verify which details were correct.

The post Amanda’s Lockdown Story first appeared on Truly Raw Stories.

Michelle’s Lockdown Story

Christine Troyano — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 07:17:24 +0000

Michelle, a college student in Canada, describes losing her job during the pandemic, returning home to her parents, reconnecting with her Punjabi and Indian heritage, and discovering new interests during lockdown.

Hello, I am Michelle Thomas from Canada. Life has never been easy for me. I am a student and used to work at a McDonald’s outlet.

Coronavirus brought my life to a halt. My college classes moved online, and I lost my job.

The best part about lockdown was that I came back home and got to stay with my parents.

I learned drawing and dancing during that period. It was a great time for me.

I lived in a Punjabi community, and my parents are half Indian, so it was also a great time for me to learn about my religion.

Another thing I enjoyed was eating the delicious food that my neighborhood aunty cooked.

We all live like one large family and celebrate things together.

The festivals that our community usually celebrated were held virtually. We gathered online and said prayers to keep the virus away.

There were times when I missed my college, my friends, and the outings we used to enjoy when we were free and there were no restrictions.

This made me realize the importance of every detail in my life.

I developed immense respect for my mother, who managed her busy Zoom meetings while tolerating two grown-up adults and their tantrums.

To lessen her workload at home, I did my best to give her a hand.

About This Story

Michelle’s account reflects the experience of a Canadian college student who lost her job during the pandemic and returned home, where lockdown brought family time, cultural connection, new interests, and a greater appreciation for ordinary life.

Editorial Note

This story has been lightly edited for grammar, punctuation, clarity, and readability while preserving Michelle’s original meaning. Material that duplicated or substantially overlapped other archived posts was excluded because its authorship could not be confirmed.

The post Michelle’s Lockdown Story first appeared on Truly Raw Stories.

Anna’s Lockdown Story

Christine Troyano — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 10:25:32 +0000

Anna describes how lockdown pushed her family into financial crisis, contributed to her father’s struggle with anxiety and depression, and separated her from her mother after a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Hello, I am Anna from London. I am a simple, happy-go-lucky woman, but the pandemic changed my life. It not only changed my life—it turned it upside down.

We were a happy family, but the spread of coronavirus and the lockdown caused us financial problems. My father was laid off from his job, and my brother had to face the same. My mother is a homemaker, and I had also lived a fairly casual lifestyle.

Losing his job caused my father to suffer from anxiety and depression. This eventually proved fatal, and he left us for his journey to heaven.

The lockdown made us suffer so much. My mother was diagnosed as COVID-positive and had to be sent to an isolation center.

COVID-19 has not only proven to be a pandemic; it has created enormous struggles for those affected by it. Middle-class families have struggled to survive, and the new strain of coronavirus has made us frightened.

Being with the people who love us is one way to find strength during such a difficult time. Parents shower us with love and care, so we should respect them and never intentionally cause them pain.

I wanted to make my parents happy and proud of me. I will always love them, but moving forward will not be easy for me.

About This Story

Anna’s archived account records job loss, financial pressure, bereavement, and separation from her mother during the COVID-19 pandemic in London.

Editorial Note

This account has been lightly edited for grammar, punctuation, clarity, and readability while preserving its original meaning. Later sections of the archived post were excluded because they duplicate or substantially overlap material attributed to other contributors.

The post Anna’s Lockdown Story first appeared on Truly Raw Stories.

Personal Lockdown Stories Of The Hurdles I Faced In Lockdown

Christine Troyano — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 10:57:29 +0000

Diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis shortly before COVID-19 reached the United States, Sophia entered the pandemic already isolated and immunosuppressed. Her account explores illness, job loss, grief, mental health, and the courage to keep choosing connection.

This is Sophia Morris. I would like to share something from this very difficult time. We all know that there is collective grief happening right now that can feel very heavy—because it is.

This grief and uncertainty come, in part, from the isolation that has become part of everyday life.

Being able to solve problems usually translates to being “good at being a person,” in my words.

Unfortunately, we have been taught that loss is intolerable. The idea of sitting with pain can feel like, “Oh my God! No, not that, please.” We immediately try to give our minds suggestions or ideas, and we ask many questions.

That may be helpful when someone loses a phone, but not when somebody’s life is falling apart. You cannot fix loss. You do not have to.

On March 15, 2020, in the United States, we were ordered to stay at home, and government operations and nonessential businesses were closed until March 30. It was an absolute nightmare for some people.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic created a severe threat to people’s well-being through depression, anxiety, and panic disorders. One of the worst parts was that anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 had to isolate away from family.

We all know that isolation can reduce the risk of spreading the virus, but loneliness can also contribute to mental-health problems such as depression.

Every day, I used to wake up in the morning and say, “We will get through this,” “This too shall pass,” and “We are not alone.”

In January 2020, I was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis, or AIH, in which the immune system attacks healthy liver cells. I was taking steroids along with immunosuppressants, so I was more vulnerable to infections.

My family was very concerned about me. They did not want me to come into contact with anyone who had been outside.

The official lockdown began in March, but I had already been isolating since January, before the coronavirus affected our lives so terribly. It was a roller coaster of emotions for me, and I knew it was only the beginning.

I learned that life is completely unpredictable. Anything can happen at any moment.

I am a flight attendant by profession, so the situation resulted in a complete loss for me. Because I was taking immunosuppressants, I was more vulnerable to infection.

Even though I was taking my medication on time and maintaining a good diet, I could not return to work because of COVID-19. My doctors told me that, because of my illness, I should not think about flying again at that time.

I was constantly afraid that something would go wrong in the future. I told myself that pessimistic thoughts were normal, but I also realized how deeply our words can affect our subconscious minds.

I resigned in April because there was no other option available to me.

Imagine having a job and then suddenly being unable to continue—not because of anything you did, but because of circumstances beyond your control.

Still, nothing lasts forever. Difficult experiences can make us stronger and wiser.

It is your choice whether to fill your subconscious mind with frustration, anger, and resentment toward your loved ones and your own life, or with love, care, and gentleness—especially love for your family.

It is easy to feel negative and allow those feelings to affect your peace of mind and your heart.

But I also feel that turning points in life may be important. They can help us discover what else we can do with our lives and with ourselves.

As long as we have our senses—even just one—we have the possibility of feeling human and connected.

What I experienced taught me that life can become about health, and healthcare can become about making life more wonderful rather than simply making it less horrible.

This is where care becomes a playful act, an expression of love, and a way of living. “Play” may sound like a funny word here, but it is also one of our highest forms of adaptation.

Consider every major effort involved in being human. The need for shelter gave rise to homes and architecture. In the same way, the need for food gave rise to cuisine and many different kinds of meals.

The most important thing we can do right now is care for one another and be there for one another.

The additional stress of having no work, no income, and the constant threat of coming into contact with the virus does not help. But this time will pass.

My mother always says, “If your good times have passed, your bad times will pass too. Just wait and remain in the moment.”

It is important to realize that you can still find a spark of beauty or meaning in the life you have. A call from someone you love can create warmth and reassure you that someone is checking to see whether you are okay.

Mental health is important. It is important to check on the people who mean something to you.

During these times, being your authentic self may help. We cannot hold ourselves to the same expectations we would during a normal week, because these are not normal weeks.

You have to be patient with yourself. Whatever may happen, all we can truly do is take each day as it comes, do the best we can, and follow social-distancing measures.

Choosing something difficult during an already difficult time is an act of courage. We should be prepared so that, even if the world ended today, we would not lose our vision, our hope for living, or our ability to give love.

One act of kindness can change the world.

Have you ever wondered what people who are close to depression may need most?

The answer is comfort—the ability to unburden yourself to those you love and find some sense of peace.

Talk as much as you can with people by phone or FaceTime. That is something within your control.

About This Story

Sophia shared this account after illness and the pandemic forced her to leave her work as a flight attendant. She reflects on isolation, uncertainty, mental health, family care, and the meaning found in small acts of connection.

Editorial Note

This story has been lightly edited for grammar, punctuation, clarity, and readability while preserving the contributor’s original meaning and voice. Dates and public-health details reflect the contributor’s recollection.

The post Personal Lockdown Stories Of The Hurdles I Faced In Lockdown first appeared on Truly Raw Stories.

The Tale Of My Lockdown Story

Christine Troyano — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 07:54:52 +0000

Sapna, an English honors student living away from her hometown, describes the sudden return home during lockdown and the mix of silence, fear, family time, boredom, study, and self-discovery that followed.

I am Sapna, a student of English honors, studying miles away from my hometown and living away from my parents. I used to become so engrossed in the daily routines of my life that I completely forgot to take time for myself.

In such a situation, I always had a secret wish that my university would close and I would be asked to return to my hometown and enjoy time with my family. I never knew that wish would be fulfilled or that my imagination could become reality. This is what happened to me during the beginning of 2020.

With the outbreak of coronavirus in the country, efforts were made to limit the spread of the virus. It became essential to protect people as much as possible.

The entire country was placed under lockdown, and we had to rush back to our hometowns. The country came to a standstill. To prevent people from coming into contact with one another, movement was severely restricted.

Malls, cinemas, temples, community halls, schools, colleges, hotels, restaurants, and many other places were closed.

The lockdown was so strict that the government specified the times during which people could work or leave their homes.

What a situation it was! We woke early in the morning and bought essential items in the shortest possible time. There was so much hustle and bustle during that one hour, and then, for the rest of the day, complete silence prevailed outside and throughout the markets.

Police patrolled the area and watched for people violating the lockdown rules. They reprimanded anyone who broke the restrictions.

In this situation, I became very lethargic. I woke late in the morning and then managed to sleep for a substantial part of the day.

However, I wanted to make sure that I was at least somewhat productive by the end of each day. I made it a daily habit to learn something new in one way or another.

These new activities included cooking Italian food and practicing aerobics.

There were also many restrictions within the household. We sanitized our hands every time we touched anything that came from outside.

Fear of the virus became so deeply ingrained that whenever an ambulance passed, people became frightened and silently prayed for those inside.

We also attempted to cook everything at home. Food from outside was not considered acceptable.

With respect to my studies, I developed the habit of participating in research projects and learning about subjects we had not considered before.

I bought many fiction and nonfiction books and read them for hours. Of course, Netflix was also at the top of my daily list. I binge-watched many shows and new movies.

I spent more time with my family than I had during previous years. I tried to create unique ideas for celebrating birthdays and sometimes cooked for my family.

However, there were also times when I missed my college, my friends, and the outings we enjoyed when we were free and there were no restrictions.

This made me realize the importance of every small detail in my life.

Sometimes the atmosphere was very depressing because of the increasing infection rate. Still, some part of my heart always hoped that the best was yet to come and that this too would pass.

During that time, I came to believe that doctors, police officers, and others working to protect us were the real heroes and deserved our respect.

About This Story

Sapna’s archived account describes student life, family connection, strict lockdown restrictions, fear of infection, and efforts to remain productive during 2020.

Editorial Note

This story has been lightly edited for grammar, punctuation, clarity, and readability. Some passages also appear in other posts in the original archive. Truly Raw Stories has preserved the archived version attributed to Sapna while making that uncertainty visible to readers.

The post The Tale Of My Lockdown Story first appeared on Truly Raw Stories.

Grace’s Lockdown Story

Christine Troyano — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 06:47:24 +0000

When Zimbabwe entered lockdown in March 2020, Grace’s family lost the ability to earn a living almost overnight. Her firsthand account reveals how COVID-19 restrictions pushed one family from hardship into desperation—and the impossible choices that followed.

It was the 30th of March 2020. The president of Zimbabwe had just announced that, for the next 30 days, the country would be completely shut down. No unnecessary movement, no public gatherings, no work. News about the nationwide lockdown was immediately dismissed by many Zimbabwean families, primarily those who worked in the informal sector, where socialising and interacting with others are at the very centre of earning a living.

Grace, a 21-year-old woman, works with her parents, selling a variety of fruits and vegetables, snacks, and handmade garments on the streets. Grace’s father is a mechanic who repairs virtually anything, from cars and bicycles to computers. Like many people throughout the country, Grace and her family rely on selling goods to survive.

Grace’s livelihood and already impoverished standard of living take a deeper negative turn when the national lockdown is announced. Unable to interact with customers and forced to stay at home, her family struggles to put food on their already small table.

When police begin patrolling the streets to ensure compliance with COVID-19 regulations, Grace and her family initially ignore the lockdown rules to go out and find money for their next meal. After being beaten and arrested many times by police and military forces for violating the rules, Grace and her parents can no longer keep risking their lives. Grace’s father reaches a point where his body cannot withstand the beatings anymore. With no government support or compensation for unemployed people or informal-sector workers, Grace is forced to consider alternative ways to support her family, one of them being prostitution.

About This Story

Grace shared her experience during the early months of Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 lockdown, when families working in the informal economy were suddenly unable to earn a living. Her account highlights the difficult choices many people faced when public-health restrictions collided with the daily struggle to survive.

Editorial Note

This story has been lightly edited for grammar, punctuation, and readability while preserving the contributor’s original meaning and voice.

The post Grace’s Lockdown Story first appeared on Truly Raw Stories.

Craig’s Lockdown Story

Christine Troyano — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 02:45:03 +0000

Craig reflects on the rapid changes of the pandemic, the strain of staying home, and the family support that helped him remain patient, positive, and resourceful.

Original question: Please share any and all ways the lockdown has affected you and those around you emotionally, physically, mentally, or situationally.

So much change in such a short time!

I can see how this pandemic has changed the way businesses are run and the way people conduct themselves from day to day. At first, I was bummed about staying home all the time, but now I am happy to do this.

I am especially glad to have my family with me. I think that, if it were not for them, my head would be spinning even more than it is now, and I would struggle to keep my mental health intact.

They give me a reason to stay strong, stay healthy, and continue to make the very best of the situation. They help me remain patient, positive, and resourceful and enjoy the basic pleasures of life.

I think all lives matter, and we are all humans who need to shift our focus toward using our energy to help one another.

About This Story

Craig shared this reflection in October 2020. His account focuses on mental health, family support, and finding strength in ordinary life during lockdown.

Editorial Note

This story has been lightly edited for grammar, punctuation, and readability while preserving the contributor’s original meaning and voice.

The post Craig’s Lockdown Story first appeared on Truly Raw Stories.

Shan’s Story

Christine Troyano — Sat, 03 Oct 2020 00:56:23 +0000

During the first months of COVID-19, Shan’s family navigated uncertainty, health fears, interrupted routines, and difficult choices about how to stay connected without putting loved ones at risk.

Original question: Please share any and all ways the lockdown has affected you and those around you emotionally, physically, mentally, or situationally.

I’m feeling sort of stuck in the middle. My family of four has been fortunate—we have reserves to draw on during this time when I’ve been partially employed. We haven’t been directly affected by illness from the pandemic, but we keep hearing about more and more people who have been affected.

The first direct connection was a co-worker who lost a father to the disease. More recently, a cousin who works in the medical field was infected—fortunately, she did not become seriously ill. There is a kind of looming dread that feels like more people close to us will be affected; it’s just a matter of time. There is another type of fear about one of us, or our aging parents, getting infected.

We have adapted fairly well to sheltering in place. We shop less frequently, but more thoughtfully. One thing that surprised me was how much I miss going to the gym. I knew I’d miss the group exercise classes, but I have also acutely missed the social aspects of chatting with the instructors and other regular students before and after classes.

Our family tries to get outdoor exercise by walking, jogging, or bicycling. Cycling has been particularly enjoyable for the family. We learned that bicycles have been in short supply since so many people have been buying them as a way to exercise outdoors. I was happy to be able to fix up a neighbor’s old bike and pass it along to another neighbor who needed one.

We have had many challenging family discussions about what kinds of outside activities to do. Should we meet friends and stay on opposite sides of the sidewalk to talk? Should we go for a group hike or bike ride with other households? Should we go camping? Should we visit the grandparents?

The teenagers are forming their own opinions and thought processes, which is fantastic, but it also slows down consensus-building. Ultimately, we decided to take some camping trips because most of the time we’d be outdoors. We decided to wait to visit one of the grandmas because that visit would be mostly indoors. Curiously, she is pushing for us to visit, but we are more worried than she is about spreading potential germs.

Original question: Has your focus shifted since the Black Lives Matter protests broke out?

The protests were a sad reminder of how much more work the United States should do. They were also a reminder of how divided the country’s attitudes are toward policing and race.

I have not been to a protest before, but the recent events brought me closer to participating than I ever have been before.

About This Story

Shan shared this account in October 2020, reflecting on family life, health anxiety, outdoor activity, and the national reckoning over policing and race during the first year of the pandemic.

Editorial Note

This story has been lightly edited for grammar, punctuation, and readability while preserving the contributor’s original meaning and voice.

The post Shan’s Story first appeared on Truly Raw Stories.

Lockdown Bali Style

Christine Troyano — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 13:26:00 +0000

As COVID-19 spread across Asia, Christine Troyano chose to remain in Bali, where she was teaching online and watching lockdown reshape the lives of students, workers, travelers, and communities around her. Her account also traces the idea that became Truly Raw Stories.

Welcome to Truly Raw Stories. My name is Christine Troyano. Although I am American, I have been living internationally for the last several years.

I first ventured to South Korea to begin my journey as a teacher, teaching English as a Second Language. Deciding I needed a warmer climate, I relocated to Indonesia in July 2014.

Before working internationally, I spent many years working for various California counties within departments of social services. I also worked as a substitute teacher in California public schools and for Prevent Child Abuse California.

During my time in Indonesia, I taught Indonesian children and adults, both in classrooms and online. I also taught Chinese children in mainland China and Hong Kong through online English lessons.

Through teaching children in China, I witnessed firsthand some of the effects COVID-19 had on my students.

It began when Chinese New Year events and celebrations were canceled in January 2020. There was uncertainty about whether families would be able to return to their hometowns and gather for this important holiday. They could not.

Schools closed. Soon, lockdowns were happening throughout the country.

At first, many of my students liked being home. They could sleep later, dress casually, avoid school uniforms, play online and cellphone games, and eat whenever they wanted.

But the Chinese education system quickly brought lessons into each student’s home. Online distance learning was in full force. While parents worked from home or ventured outside for essential jobs, families remained under strict lockdown.

I could sense a genuine fear of leaving the house among many of my students.

The new normal had begun.

Many children counted the days since lockdown began. One visible sign of the passing time was how long their hair was becoming.

Before each lesson, I checked in with them to see how they were doing, what they were feeling, how their families were, and how distance learning was going.

Some parents gave their sons buzz cuts as their hair grew longer. It appeared that only one parent in many households would go outside to buy groceries. Home deliveries quickly became increasingly important.

Although my students had many online school classes, the workload seemed somewhat lighter than their usual schoolwork and homework—at least for some of them. They even had physical-education classes a couple of times a week, lasting about 15 minutes.

Over time, however, many students became bored with being locked indoors. They missed their friends and parts of their normal routines.

Not every student was eager to return to the classroom. Some preferred waking up later, snacking whenever they wanted, and not wearing uniforms.

As infections decreased and restrictions began to lift, students slowly returned to school. Their reactions were mixed.

Some enjoyed reconnecting with friends and having social interaction again. Others would rather have stayed home and continued learning online. Many said that, other than wearing masks and having their temperatures checked, school felt much the same.

By mid-April, the students had officially returned to school. Even then, many went directly home after classes because they did not feel safe wandering freely around town. Others met friends during their limited free time.

As for me, I was traveling around Indonesia when lockdowns began. Because Indonesia consists of more than 17,000 islands, restrictions were not the same everywhere.

Jakarta, Indonesia’s largest city and one of the hardest hit at the beginning, first advised residents to stay home. Eventually, that recommendation became mandatory.

Some businesses defied the restrictions and were fined, closed, and sent home. Lockdown took different forms depending on the number of infections in each region.

East Java’s restrictions followed soon after Jakarta’s as groups of people became infected there. Schools closed in mid-March.

Friends in East Java told me that roads were being blocked by security personnel. Those who could work from home were fortunate. Many others were not.

Street-food vendors and day laborers disappeared from their usual places. Local governments began distributing weekly food staples such as rice, noodles, and cooking oil.

I chose to remain in Bali for several reasons. Most importantly, my doctor was there.

After living in East Java for four years, I relocated to Bali to teach online, mostly working with adults from around the world.

After a few months, physical health problems made online teaching uncomfortable, so I returned to classroom teaching. After one year of teaching in Bali, I left the classroom again and chose to go my own way.

With only one online teaching job, working with my Chinese students, I became more location-independent and could teach while traveling.

I packed my belongings and relocated to Ubud. I soon realized it was not what I had hoped for. After three months, I packed again and carried everything I had accumulated back to Kuta, Bali.

I had a plan: travel to Lombok to take care of some business, visit old teaching friends in East Java, see more of Indonesia, finish traveling through Malaysia, take a quick trip through Southeast Asia, return to America to visit family and friends, and then travel to Spain and around Europe.

I made it to East Java, but seeing my friends did not go exactly as planned. Lombok did not either.

I intended to return to Bali for only a few days to see my doctor and sell my belongings, but lockdown was looming. I decided to put on the brakes and stay in Bali.

Bali’s streets were already quiet. Although restrictions were not yet mandatory, many people listened to the government’s advice and stayed home.

Most foreign tourists had already returned to their home countries. In tourist areas, there was little reason for businesses to remain open.

Tour drivers, taxis, hotels, homestays, and restaurants were closed or mostly closed. Tourism had dried up.

A small number of foreigners remained in Bali, more or less by choice. Flights to the United States still existed, but the reliability of connecting flights was uncertain.

Those of us who stayed understood the risk that one day we might receive an email from the U.S. Embassy saying there were no longer any flights home.

For the moment, that was okay. I knew the risks. I chose to stay.

It took me a couple of weeks—and three moves in 14 days—to find the right place to ride out the lockdown.

I knew I needed to settle somewhere soon because more hotels and homestays were closing indefinitely. I remained in regular contact with my family through Zoom and other online services.

I was one of the lucky ones, and I was very aware of that.

Other than staying home, going out only for necessities, and no longer traveling between islands, it was largely business as usual for me.

I continued teaching my Chinese students online six days a week.

At first, I went to the grocery store. Later, I began ordering my one daily meal for delivery. I walked about five minutes to a small local shop to buy bottled water, soap, masks, scissors, and other necessities.

I always had plenty to keep me occupied. I was rarely bored.

I have always enjoyed my own space and time alone, with a little social interaction here and there. I am a loner and a homebody. Although I love traveling, I usually travel alone because I find greater freedom in it.

Still, as I watched the effects lockdown had on the world, I began thinking that I wanted to do more with my life.

My mind kept returning to a deep desire to understand how individuals, families, and households were coping with lockdown.

I imagined many scenarios: people who had been laid off, people living alone, and families trying to balance working from home with homeschooling.

I wondered about partnerships and marriages. Were they thriving, merely surviving, or falling apart?

I was amazed by the ways companies, individuals, and communities around the world came together to care for one another.

Then another group I had not yet considered would come to mind: What about them?

I kept thinking more deeply. My sociology education was coming back to life.

I felt that this moment in history needed to be documented and preserved.

I contacted several survey and sociological-research organizations. One survey company replied that it already had its own internal researchers.

Okay. How could I do this myself?

I thought of an old friend who had spent hours mastering the iMovie process and had created a portfolio showcasing local people from many walks of life.

I imagined that he and I could travel door to door, interviewing people across America about how lockdown had affected them.

After reaching out to several friends and colleagues, I decided to create my own website.

I would develop a questionnaire that people anywhere in the world could complete, while also giving them the option to share personal stories through writing, video, and photographs.

So here it is.

I would love for you to share your truly raw stories. How has life been since lockdown?

We are listening.

About This Story

Christine wrote this account during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic while living in Bali, Indonesia. It records both her personal experience of lockdown and the questions that inspired her to create Truly Raw Stories.

Editorial Note

The post Lockdown Bali Style first appeared on Truly Raw Stories.

Christine Troyano | Truly Raw Stories

Stories from the COVID-19 Years

Every story matters.

Why These Stories Matter

Beyond the Statistics

Many Different Realities

A Record for the Future

Stories from the COVID-19 Years

Grace’s Lockdown Story

Lockdown, Bali Style

Craig’s Lockdown Story

Shan’s Lockdown Story

Sophia’s Lockdown Story

Sapna’s Lockdown Story

Anna’s Lockdown Story

Michelle’s Lockdown Story

Amanda’s Lockdown Story

The Archive Is Still Growing

Amanda’s Lockdown Story

About This Story

Editorial Note

Michelle’s Lockdown Story

About This Story

Editorial Note

Anna’s Lockdown Story

About This Story

Editorial Note

Personal Lockdown Stories Of The Hurdles I Faced In Lockdown

About This Story

Editorial Note

The Tale Of My Lockdown Story

About This Story

Editorial Note

Grace’s Lockdown Story

About This Story

Editorial Note

Craig’s Lockdown Story

About This Story

Editorial Note

Shan’s Story

About This Story

Editorial Note

Lockdown Bali Style

About This Story

Editorial Note