living or surviving through these pandemic times
When the governments, of the world, suddenly slapped us with a lockdown, some of us were confused, some obedient, some stressed and some ecstatic. While many of us waited patiently for the country to open, a few of us were enjoying what was in front of us. Only a limited number of people understood that, practically, a contagion does not just vanish into thin air in a month or two.
Many of you are going through this lockdown situation for the first time, but some like me who have been between warring countries; it seems like a piece of cake. Yes, at that time I was a 7 year old child and now I’m the mother of a 7 year old child. Looks like a history-repeating-itself kind of thing. THE GULF WAR – I wrote about it when the Corona pandemic struck and we (Kuwaiti borns) were discussing how it seemed so similar to what we went through exactly 30 years ago as kids.
But, here the difference was that Corona was a silent killer, unlike the gun shots and bombs that we could hear all around us during the war. Here, we did not have to flee from our houses or hide from soldiers while going grocery shopping. Though some of us have lost our jobs, many of us are still financially stable and able to voluntarily help those in need. Most, importantly, many of us have our families with us.
From what I have concluded, throughout the 8 months of lockdown (please don’t say that everything has opened and there isn’t a lockdown because my kids are still at home 24/7 and I’m feeding them 24/7) is that people are not able to live through a lockdown either because of traditional upkeep, abuse, financial issues or self-inflicted stress.
So, here are a few practical suggestions (especially for the super-women) to get you through the lockdown/pandemic/contagion comfortably, before you collapse overdoing things:
DELEGATE HOUSEWORK – Your body is not a machine. Try delegating the house work and give your kids more of your time. I will always choose happy kids and a messy home over cranky kids and a sparkling clean house. While the kids learn to be clean and help around the house, you will be less stressed and be able to spend quality time with them. Talk to the family and let them know how you feel, physically as well as emotionally. Don’t keep it all inside you. Besides delegating the chores, allot each one for separate days. Only if you are comfortable and not stressed out, can you live and let live in peace!
KEEP THE FOOD SIMPLE – While the whole world went crazy trying different dishes during the initial lockdown days, many wound up getting stressed with cooking in order to meet high expectations. You can probably make larger spreads on the weekends or on occasions. Otherwise, keep the food simple and don’t feel guilty about serving your family dal and rice every week. Times are tough. Your family cannot expect you to do everything that the help and you would’ve done otherwise.
SETTLE FOR LESS – Just because you had a certain lifestyle pre-lockdown, does not mean you cannot survive with a little less during these times. Learn to be happy with the minimal things you are getting. Some of us are not even lucky to get that much. So, don’t go yelling at people like you own them. Don’t be rude to people just because you are frustrated with your situation. Learn to compromise and avoid over-spending. Explain to your kids that we cannot get whatever we want all the time. Also, this is the best time to teach them the value of money.
TAKE TIME TO REST – Take some time off to sit and relax your ever-working body and do what you love. Start with things that comfort you. Read a book. Listen to music. Meditate or practice a little yoga to calm your senses and understand your inner feelings. Sitting alone and thinking calmly helps in making good and sensible decisions.
GO FOR A WALK – Your body needs exercise. Standing, and cooking or washing the dishes, is not exercise. In fact, prolonged standing results in inflammation of the veins or lower back issues. Taking a walk also helps give your body some fresh air and releases the inner tensions. Honestly, I find it quite relaxing to walk with the kids and listen to their never-ending stories.
Yeah, that’s about it. Perhaps, in short, you can say, live like today is your present. Or, live like there will be no tomorrow. Either ways live simply and enjoy the lockdown with your loved ones. Soon, we may restart running in the rat race and miss all this home-time. So, appreciate and make use of it until it lasts.
What is happening with you during the lockdown? Are you living or surviving through these pandemic times?
Photo by Ekaterina Bolovtsova from Pexels
17 Comments
Each point you mentioned seems menial but will have immense impact in your life.
I have just started going for walk from few weeks and I really feel better now. Will try other tips.
Life adjusts based on the need and scenarios, however as human beings especially social beings we need to be more receptive and adjust accordingly. I really like the way you have explained such a scenario with these easy ideas to adjust on. A great read.
Intially it was not easy at all to stay locked inside the house for months and now gradually I have accepted this and not feeling very much affected.
Sorry about your childhood trauma but glad to read the positivity and acceptance of the pandemic. For me, it has been a great time as I had my grandsons living with me for 4 1/2 months. We have never spent so much time together before. They left in July, I was devastated but I got out of that phase and lost myself in my passion of cooking, blogging and now my Kaur’s kitchen business.
This year has been tough an everyone and these are good and practical tips to help people do well even at this time it is so important to have any time and delegate and indeed go for a walk and get some fresh air good points
I rreally liked reading your post. I haven’t called my helper ever since the pandemic started and I am surpised at how just a few simple changes have helped keep my sanity in place. Thankfully my family helps me in every posiible way.
This is really true that this pandemic made our life, but it’s really great to find the best we can make memories and create life memorably!!
You’ve raised an interesting point here, Cindy. Personally, I’ve being swinging like a pendulum between living and surviving. Times have been tough but hanging in there itself is so important right now.
That was so relatable. Being a mother of two active toddlers locked in the house for months now i won’t say it’s been easy. But as you said spending time with kids and taking it slow has been a huge help
loved your post ..being in our present is the thing to do, by accepting the situation in the first part and keeping a check on our health.. love the simplicity of the pointers you have made above..very effective
While the quarantine time was hectic, I have made sure I get my me tme at home…. it’s a must and even wen we have started stepping out a bit, I still make sure all the work dsnt get to me n I get to relax n take care of myself.
First lockdown definitely was ttheee survival ,as I wasn’t prepared but now I am living with it quite gracefully and enjoying and learning from each day.
That’s a really motivational post and some really handy tips to stay positive. Settling for less has been a big mind shift change in my case.
Such a brilliant piece of advice you had share in this post Cindy. I agree we have to learn adjust with the things and need to make compromises too. You had said it rightly that we should try to live in the moment to avoid unnecessary future related worries and anxiety.
The present scenario is tough for all however now it’s become a routine and we getting used to the new normal. Your tips and pointers are so relevant and apt.
Liked the title of the post. Knowing our present, finding the best that we can do in the current situation and keeping a check on our health is what I follow. Finding time to do what I like, and planning my day properly has always helped me even in normal circumstances.