The pandemic took a large toll on my mental health going from doing nothing inside for a year to trying to make up for “lost time” by doing too much — I set myself up for burnout. Now, I’m prioritizing my mental health daily to keep my mind feeling healthy.

During the pandemic’s tight social-distancing restrictions, I found myself learning how to care for myself in new ways. I also learned not to take for granted the opportunities we have to be with others.

https://youtu.be/GYnS1d3epvQ

In this video, I reflect on the ways in which quarantine changed my morning routine. I then walk through the steps of my new, post quarantine breakfast.

Rainkey He gets up and brushes his teeth in his house in Bthlehem, Pa. on Oct. 6, 2021. During the weekdays he always gets up around 8 a.m. The first thing he does is to brush teeth to make himself sober. (J24/Yueyang Yan)

Rainkey He makes breakfast with toast and peanut butter and in his house in Bthlehem, Pa. on Oct. 6, 2021. Maybe college students are very simple to cook, in fact, there is no need to do too much trouble for breakfast. (J24/Yueyang Yan)

After making breakfast, Rainkey He eats breakfast while watching his favorite virtual girl group live in Bethlehem, Pa. on Oct. 6, 2021. The virtual girl group, played by real people, attracts him so much that the pleasure he got from the girls become his fuel for the day. (J24/Yueyang Yan)

Rainkey He goes out for class in Bthlehem, Pa. on Oct. 6, 2021. He has class at 9:30 a.m. during weekdays, although the epidemic situation at school is improving, perhaps wearing a mask has become a habit for him.(J24/Yueyang Yan)

Rainkey He comes home after class and met his roommate who had just come home from shopping in Bethlehem, Pa. on Oct. 6, 2021. It is about 3 p.m., and though they live together, they see each other for the first time that day.(J24/Yueyang Yan)

Rainkey He sterilizes his schoolbag with alcohol in his house in Bethlehem, Pa. on Oct. 6, 2021. He and his roommates made it a rule to thoroughly disinfect exposed objects after taking them home.(J24/Yueyang Yan)

Rainkey He and his roommate are choosing which takeout restaurant to eat tonight in Bethlehem, Pa. on Oct. 6, 2021.Although none of them can cook, there are plenty of good restaurants nearby, and for safety’s sake they opt for take-out instead of eating in. (J24/Yueyang Yan)

Rainkey He gets his take-out and eats it while watching his phone in his house in Bethlehem, Pa. on Oct. 6, 2021. Young people nowadays think eating without looking at their phones is boring.(J24/Yueyang Yan)

Rainkey He plays card game with his roomates in his house in Bethelem, Pa. on Oct. 6, 2021. At 9 p.m., roommates can finally get together. It’s still a workday, but it’s a good idea to hang out without all the stress.(J24/Yueyang Yan)

Rainkey He watches his phone before sleeps in his house in Bethlehem, Pa. on Oct. 6, 2021. He usually goes to bed at 11:30 p.m., but he still checks his phone for a long time before going to bed. Sometimes he’s talking to his girlfriend, but sometimes he just wants to listen to some soothing music to calm him down.(J24/Yueyang Yan)

As an average junior, Rainkey He’s post-pandemic life may not have been as active as everyone thought. Just as he said, although the dull day is not light, every day is the same may be a kind of surprise in life. He wakes up around 8 a.m. and the first thing he does is brush his teeth, which he thinks will wake him up so he doesn’t drift through the day.

After that, he would go downstairs and make breakfast. Because he spent his freshman and sophomore years living on campus and so close to the dining room, he hardly learned how to cook properly. Therefore, he often joked that he was not worthy to be a Chinese, after all, Chinese food is ever-changing.

In fact, everyone has his own energy source, perhaps it is a greeting from his family, a kiss from his lover, or the joy when his friends meet, but for He, his energy source is very different. Last year, a Chinese entertainment company set up a girl group of five girls, but the group was virtual, in which actors dressed in motion capture costumes acted as on-screen anime characters. Although He can’t see the real face of these girls, their daily live broadcast is enough to attract him. “Watching them talk, dance, sing, and play games have become my daily routine, not only for my own entertainment but also to witness their growth.” He says.

Of course, He still needs to go to class. It is clear that everything is getting better, but even so, he still wears a mask outside, not just because of the school rules, but because of the custom and a sense of security. He needs to take five major courses this semester for his major, so every time he has a long class on campus. However, his time back is not so monotonous, because he finally meets his roommate. Although they are roommates, everyone has very different schedules, but this does not affect their friendly relationship.

As He studied abroad, his eating habits also changed. In China, lunch is usually the most important meal of the day, but in America it’s dinner. As mentioned earlier, he can’t cook, so ordering take-out is a great option. He and his roommate order two Chinese set meals. Although the taste is not as delicious as in China, being late for the food at home in a foreign country is also a joy. However, this joy needed to be with mobile phones.

When the roommates finally get together after dinner, card games are the perfect way to interact.” Playing cards is not just about socializing, it’s about brains and luck, and I love the competition. “He says. After playing cards together, it’s late. It’s bedtime, but He likes to look at his phone for a long time before going to bed.” I know it’s not a great routine, but I want to end my day by listening to some soothing music and processing some news from my friends before bed. “He says.

The front of The Cup is pictured moments before opening on Wednesday, Oct. 5th, 2021. The shop opens every day at 1:00 pm.

A bright LED lit “OPEN” sign shines in front of The Cup in Bethlehem, Pa. on Wednesday, Oct. 5th, 2021. The owner has turned the sign on and is ready to serve.

34-year-old Mark Ingram walks into the store on Wednesday, Oct. 5th, 2021 in Bethlehem, Pa. He is the first customer of the day.

39-year-old Nancy Butler watches on as Ingram enters the store on Wednesday, Oct. 5th, 2021 in Bethlehem, Pa. She is ready to serve and excited for a great day at The Cup.

The fan-favorite flavor “Cookie Monster” is pictured next to the “Birthday Cake” and vanilla flavors on Wednesday, Oct. 5th, 2021 in Bethlehem, Pa. Despite it running low, there is more than enough “Cookie Monster” left for Mark if he chose it.

The different kinds of cones available are pictured on Wednesday, Oct. 5th, 2021 in Bethlehem, Pa. Everything from the plain waffle to the rainbow sprinkled cone is available.

Nancy Butler patiently waits as Mark Ingram considers the different flavors available on Wednesday, Oct. 5th, 2021 in Bethlehem, Pa. Nancy knows it usually takes a moment for the customer to decide.

Nancy Butler scoops the Cookie Monster ice cream into the rainbow-sprinkled-cone on Wednesday, Oct. 5th, 2021 in Bethlehem, Pa. It is no surprise that Mark opted for this popular flavor.

Nancy Butler tops off the rest of the cone on Wednesday, Oct. 5th, 2021 in Bethlehem, Pa. Cones like this one require two large scoops.

Nancy Butler hands off the finished ice cream cone to Mark Ingram on Wednesday, Oct. 5th, 2021 in Bethlehem, Pa. Mark has been craving ice cream all day and is excited to try it.

Mark Ingram takes the first bite of ice cream on Wednesday, Oct. 5th, 2021 in Bethlehem, Pa. Mark couldn’t help but try it the moment he received the cone.

After paying, Nancy Butler hands Mark Ingram his change on Wednesday, Oct. 5th, 2021 in Bethlehem, Pa. Mark plans on coming back to the Cup tomorrow for a different flavor.

The Bethlehem Dairy Store. The Dairy Store. Mowrer’s. The Cup. Whatever people choose to call it, it means the same thing to all: a locally owned and operated business that has been serving up homemade ice cream and memories to Bethlehem residents and visitors since the 1930s.

The Bethlehem Dairy Store, originally owned by the Mowrer family, first opened on Linden Street in the 1930s. Those first few generations knew the shop as “The Dairy Store” or “Mowrer’s,” after the store’s owners. However, the shop’s giant milkshake-cup shape led to its more current nickname “The Cup.”

“We don’t care what they call it, as long as they keep coming,” long-time employee Nancy Butler said.

The Cup and the university bookstore are the only two spots that have held residency since the opening of Farrington Square. Butler discussed that the shop sees a lot of business from both students and area families.

She said that during the school year the majority of customers come from Lehigh students, while families will visit more readily during the summer months. However, both times of year see a broad demographic. The only time the shop closes is during Lehigh’s winter break, as most students aren’t on campus and fewer area families are going out for ice cream.

“You tend to get to know people by name sometimes, you just talk to them and get to know them,” Butler said of visitors who frequently come to the store.

For some people The Cup is a special-occasion visit, while for others, like 34-year-old Mark Ingram, it is a frequent occurrence.

“I probably come here about 10 times per month. It’s kind of my spot,” Ingram said.

Ingram said he usually switches up his order, but that “Cookie Monster” has become his favorite. “(Cookie Monster) has sort of become my go-to,” Mark said. “I feel like it’s the most consistently tasty flavor no matter the day I come.”

With all ice cream being homemade at the store, and regularly replenished, Butler also commented on the shop’s most popular flavors, citing mint chocolate chip, peanut butter cookie and moose tracks, among others, as other fan favorites.

“Personally, I love the black and white milkshake,” Butler said. “It reminds me of my mom’s milkshakes.”

Butler said the shop usually offers seasonal flavors such as fall’s pumpkin cheesecake, winter’s peppermint stick, and a variety of summary, fruity flavors.

“Time flies at The Cup,” Butler said. “You get a good cup of ice cream, a good laugh, and some great memories.”