21 days of Quarantine - Away from home!

21 days of Quarantine all across India - A beautiful preventive measure taking by the government to reduce the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 virus.

 All over Instagram and social media, in general, you see families and couples spending time together –

·      Household chores being done together

·      Workouts being done together

·      Movie times and so on

 There have been even messages stating that people have been cribbing about office time and not being able to spend time with family. This 21-day quarantine can be an answer to all these complaints/prayers. 

However, has anyone wondered about people staying away from home during the quarantine period? Or working from home? Or even as simple as do all families want to spend this time together?

This 21-day quarantine has been an enforced decision that had to be accepted by everyone for the simple reason that the disease doesn’t spread, like wildfire and can be controlled. Truly appreciated!

Now let’s look at the other side of things – There are many people out there, like me, who are working from home. Along with that, there are people, like my flatmates and me who have unable to go home, mainly due to work. And, in my case, also since I didn’t want to get my family infected and cause them harm. 

A new place, away from home and being locked in a flat {that is not even your home or room, for that matter} almost the whole day? Yes, I am working from home and have a routine that keeps me busy all the time.

·      I cook 2-3 meals a day {since I am mainly the one that can cook in the house :)}

·      Wash utensils

·      Wash clothes 

·      Give online lectures for 7 days a week.

·      Have to complete the necessary work related to lectures

·      Speak to a couple of friends and my boyfriend.

·      Workout

·      MEDITATE.

 Still, the loneliness of not being with family creeps in! Yes, I talk to my mom 4-5 times a day :). However, it makes me wonder do people like me appreciate this lockdown? Yes! There is a positive side to things – however, what are we doing out there to reach out to people who are living away from home during this phase?

 Have you reached out to your friends to check whether they are fine?

 My 2nd question is – does every family want to be together during this 21-day lockdown? Not every family is perfect and there are many broken households/families. There are households out there where people are just getting on each other’s during this lockdown phase and maybe situations are getting worse than ever.

A very harsh reality!

 What can be done in these cases?

·      Reach out to people whom you know are away from family

·      Check in with them on a regular basis.

What if you like me are, like me, working from home and staying away from family, or a part of a broken family – DON’T WORRY! You will be fine!

1.    Keep in touch with people around you

 I always believe that God sends people that you need in your life at the right time. The best example, I have been unable to go home and I have flatmates who have faced the same situation. Somehow no matter how different we are, we have each other's backs.

2.    Reach out to friends and family when you don’t feel fine

It's important to understand that it's perfectly ok not to be fine. There are people out there willing to help. You just need to ask. There are problems and things that you need to take care of. You will land up feeling overwhelmed at times.

 Take a step back. Relax.

Connect with friends and family. They are just a call away or I should say a video call away. 

3.    And most importantly, take care of your mental and physical health.

Get some workout regime or workout a bit. Workout tends to release dopamine and serotonin, the feel-good or happiness hormones.

And most importantly, start learning to meditate. Meditation at times can have the same effect as any drug-induced high!

Start with just spending time with yourself alone. Then start by spending 5 mins with your eyes closed and let the thoughts flow. Avoid engaging with the thoughts, they will just pass. Then when you feel comfortable to try increasing the time.

 At times, for beginners, guided meditation helps!

And, lastly, you are NOT ALONE. There are people out there stuck just like you. Be calm!