C1 — How to stay sane during the lockdown
Usually articles of these kind begin with, “In these unprecedented times” or the famous oxymoronic phrase, “new normal” to contextualise. What follows is list of constructive activities one should do during the lockdown, turning this fatal event into a productivity fest. I am not going to do either. I know these times are tough. While some grieve the loss of a jobs, others grieve loss of loved ones. More so, even the unaffected ones feel the burden of survivor’s guilt, for having survived one of the most unusual year of this decade.
Ironically this confusing year helped us put a lot of things in clearer perspective. Our outlook towards relationships and jobs have transformed.For some, the social distancing brought them nearer to their own selves and loved ones. While others felt suffocated and estranged.
The only way to stay sane during these times is to acknowledge the insanity. Getting busy in tasks that others deem productive may end up giving one an excuse to escape the reality. One has to face the inner demons to be able to fight them.
One of the things you can do is to perform an activity which you enjoy and are good at it. This does not always have to be something like writing or reading, which is often acclaimed but also does frustrate those who do not feel competent at it. This activity should help you keep grounded.
One can also take this opportunity to do something that you necessarily aren’t good at, bit makes you feel better. I have never been a painter. During an expressive arts session, I discovered how centered art makes me feel. You always don’t need to colour within the boundaries to produce art. Break the boundaries. Do something that resonates with you.
Take this time to build a healthier relationship with daily mundane routine activities like sleeping, eating or even bathing. Question why you are over sleeping, or why do not feel like bathing? Ananlyse your current habits and their causes, and then begin working on that root cause.
Wear your own oxygen mask before helping others. You cannot venture out to help others, if you don’t give yourself the time to heal and grow. You must not feel guilty to find your own space and time.
This is not a life mantra, but my mere takeaways of mine from this bizzare time that we all witnessed.
