Pandemic and How !

#Pandemic ! #Coronavirus ! #Covid19 ! #Positive! #Vaccine! #Lockdown! #SocialDistancing! #6Feetapart! #Masksup! #Economicslowdown ! These words have become greetings and regards in our everyday conversation possibly since the first covid wave in Wuhan. Not a single human around has been spared or immune to the living atrocities of this deadly virus since the Quarter1 of #2020.

My recent #survey targeting 100 individuals covering many generations and #demographics was to understand the social, economical and psychological level of impact on different individuals across India and USA. The key takeaways from this survey was what is that crucial lesson/learning from the past 6 months of surviving a #PANDEMIC. Here are the top 5 ones that turned out to be my personal favorite.

1. It's all in your MIND - Not sure if my interpretation of the person's response is correct but my takeaway from this is about #mental-health. This period of past 6 months has been very challenging. People have lost jobs, fallen sick, lost friends and family to the fatal virus but what keeps them going is a strong mind and wellness. The increasing suicide rates are quite an evidence too.
2. Health is Wealth - Covid protocols have got one and all to practice good health and hygiene. No matter "who you are , where you are from and what you do" (cheers to those who almost sang that song while reading ) the COVID phase has got all of us to rethink, revisualize and rework towards a healthy living.
3. Save!Save!Save! - I like how this was a response from 40% of the responders right from a #GenerationX to #GenerationZ. These unforeseen times have made us all realize the importance of financial savings and having a cover for our families. Takes me back to the old school thought of having liquidity of 6 months of expenses. #foodforFinancialplanning.
4. Kal Kisne Dekha Hai - As much as it may sound "Filmy" I like this thought as quite some have responded in and around this philosophy. From understanding the need of cherishing each moment as you live to being grateful of each living day 35% of the responders believed in making each day of life count. It maybe in terms of bonding over with family and friends, spending time with aging parents or giving your child the attention you couldn't give with your unending corporate work-styles. Most of us have worked upon and adapted quite some change in this aspect. This has been a reward in the hard times.
5. Homemaker is a FULL TIME Job - Like a dessert I saved the sweet savoury for the last. Welcome to Reality Humans!! The most underrated and full paid job of a mother, woman or a man** has been finally given some limelight. The life without a maid, luxuries, to go food parcels has been a lesson to all of us (guilty as charged am one of them) those who though home chores are easy and few. The unending chores at home along with a work life balance has been reality check to almost each one around. Let's take this chance to #thank, #appreciate and #reward our mom, dad, wife, husband, kids and also our HOUSEHELP to make it all look so easy all along.

**Man - The feminist in me wants to thank all men who know and do the home chores by themselves. To those who don't this is your time, get up and help your family around. It's more rewarding then earning them the extra 5 starred corporate Bonus.

Coming back to the takeaways while these 5 happen to be the top ones there are few more that hit me quite right. Some who was really thoughtful in saying "Thankful to have a roof and food on my plate" to someone wanting to people wanting to be "Aatmanirbhar".

It's quite likely that at least 1/5 thoughts have been your own at some point in these 6 months. Let's hope we live by it and make these lessons for life as a positive aftermath of this #globalpandemic.

Do share your views in comments below.

----Signing off,

The Amateur Storyteller.