Into the fog!

Winter is the season of the fog in Delhi NCR! The foggy morning view looks classic when we experience it from our balconies. As the overnight heavy fog disperses gradually with the morning sun coming out, it looks like the land is covered in a translucent yet magical mist.

While this fog can be beautiful, another perspective that one may argue on the very same fog is that it has actually blurred the view. What we were able to see clearly, is not so clear anymore! Or in other words, something appearing within our reach is now suddenly beyond.

I won’t be shy to admit that winter and fogginess make me lethargic! Winter wake-ups seem like a daily battle that mounts exponentially with every passing day and it’s a lot easier to snuggle in bed even when the alarm goes off. In my case, half my mind says, “stay where you are,” and the other half commands me to get started with the day and get to work! ??

On a separate note, during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, I caught several fog-related catchphrases like “foggy brain,” “fog of war,” “in a fog” and “full-steam ahead.” All of them emphasize situational awareness that there are uncertainties or that there are aspects that are not so clear! Similarly, I am sure we’ve all experienced circumstances/people/situations coming into our lives, like a fog that blurs our judgment and makes us lazy. Aspects that were not so difficult yesterday or appeared within reach suddenly seem difficult and all blurry!

How to beat the brain fog?

The answer lies in exactly how we tackle the foggy weather. Most of us buckle up with extra support to navigate the season. For instance, we wear warm clothing, eat fresh and healthy, weather-proof the house, add fog lamps in the car and re-schedule our travel plans. And many of us actually enjoy this season more by spending quality time indoors with our loved ones.

Fear, anger and frustration can actually cause the brain’s executive network to work less effectively. So, when we face a brain fog or a muddled situation in our personal and/or professional life, we must try to combat negative emotions. Here’s how we can do it:

• Accept that foggy situations are inevitable: Life throws unexpected things at us all the time, and some of them can be quite distressing. Instead of panicking at this juncture, what we need to rely on most during such times is our creative thinking capacity and problem-solving skills.
• Prepare in advance to build an extra support system: An unexpected event is always the one we did not plan for. Yet, that does not mean we can’t create the best possible outcome from it. So as they say, let’s hope for the best but plan for the worst.
• Stay motivated: We’ve all been through several challenges and battled quite a few smaller bumps on the road too. If we survived it all until this point, we could manage it ahead as well. So let’s figure out our strengths, gather more self-confidence, team up with people we love and brace up for the storm.
• Lastly, take life as it is: Let all the mental clouds settle down. Enjoy the moment with a cup of tea and seasonal snacks. ?

That definitely reminds me of the famous phrase “beyond the fog lies clarity.” In other words, this moment right now is life happening to us. So stop and take stock of just how good it is and how all those glitches, surprises and roller coasters made us beautifully execute all the plans until this point! Sooner or later, the air will calm down and the skies will clear out. ??

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