Remembering the Lockdown

Yes, few years or decades down the line you will be talking of living through the lockdown - The Great CORONA pandemic days. Experts are equating this with the Spanish Flu which was more than a century ago. It definitely beats any situation that humanity has faced since I was born. 

So, focus on doing things that you can share in your later years, maybe with a bit of pride and happiness. Complete lockdown and isolation that too for a longish period is nightmarish. To cater to the joke mills – kids’ lockdown with parents … groan. The spouse having to suffer you day in and out – groan. Thank god the net is still working, that can keep us connected to what all we don’t really have a direct role in – a distraction we have learnt to live with - groan.

So, please don’t just live through a forced lockdown - distracted. Own it with the seriousness it deserves. We are not sure how long this is going to last. 14 days is the lowest reasonable figure!

Plan how you want to live the next maybe 20 days of lockdown or isolation effort. Same 24hours a day that were busy commuting and doing a lot that actually filled you living hours. Now you have a choice how to fill them. Sit – think- and do some. 

It’s a good time to look at visiting all four human basic needs or pillars on daily basis. 

Physical fitness – you need it since most of us will have the virus one day soon. We must be strong enough to let our body defeat the virus. Eat healthy and eat well – hope the supply side remains okay. Spend time on fitness. I know you can’t go out. The gyms are closed. Find a way. The internet is full of home exercises videos. Maybe it's time to try that new fitness app? Maybe something will change your fitness routine for life.  Maybe you add pranayam and yoga to your experiences – anything that excites you – maybe kickboxing or the new rage mile walks or aerobics or the Zumba? Maybe group family exercise? Maybe ….

Intellectual – that’s a given need. First bit will be knowing all that you need to ensure survival - to know what’s happening and what you should be doing. The wise have higher chances of survival. So be wise. That said don’t waste the entire day on it unless you are in action teams to counter this, for rest too much thinking about the pandemic will only lead to panic – find a distraction. Second critical part will be keep your professional things in control. Third critical issue is planning to cater for the financial challenges that the economic impact of the virus will cause – mull over it. 

Main issues handled - use the time to read the book you have been planning, finish the blog or book that was waiting, get your paperwork in order, get your cloud drives in order, see that Ted video that has been on watch later list. Sit and share something interesting with the family - maybe read extrcats of a book that you wanted to share? Maybe start that online course that was waiting for so long, maybe that effort at cooking or simple chores at home, or maybe sorting out the wardrobe that needs to adopt bit of minimalism. Doing things with your own hands as the household help too needs to adopt social distance. List is endless. If you sit back and plan – then something different can happen. Maybe you will complete a few of what you plan and be happy about it. 

Spiritual – you need to visit this need too on daily basis. Mankind in any cases remembers god in panic, that’s not what I would recommend, this is not about religion. Maybe now is the time you can revisit yourself. If you are too busy even now, then you know you actually don’t think you need it. Maybe you are wrong, try a two week capsule – anything that clicks or you have access to. Doing mindfulness stuff may help you handle the stress and panic better. Doing something creative may also fall under this pillar.

Social – yeah social despite the lockdown – we are social beings – that quality defines us and that’s why we will survive this scare. Stay and be in touch with the loved ones. Guide those who really need guidance. Reach out and explain what to do and what not. Connect with the elderly, they are the most vulnerable and thus need maximum social support. Look around your neighborhood, maybe there are friends parents who need support with logistics of living through the lockdown. You can help while you do your own necessary work, without any step that increases the risk. 

Stay connected to those who don’t have a choice, those who have to continue moving out of the safety of the house, to ensure that life goes on. Be thankful to them. Be patient with those who don’t seem to understand the seriousness of the situation - explain. Pray for those who have had the bad luck of catching the virus and wish them a speedy recovery. 

Have a fruitful lockdown – since there seems to be little choice. Just touch base with all the four pillars on daily basis.

Roopesh Mehta

23 Mar 2020

PS. What is a given is better understanding of house work, more empathy for the homemaker and why the 'maid' arrival is such a happy daily event.