LOVED THE LOCKDOWN

22nd March 2020 marked the beginning of the biggest lockdown the country had ever seen. The nation was terrified thinking about the consequences of the pandemic that was growing uncontrollably. It wasn't easy to adapt to the 'new normal'.The lockdown has put up many question before us. Does our work require us to leave our homes? Are our savings enough for us to survive if we don't work for almost an entire year? While most people were eagerly waiting for life to get back the way it was in the pre-covid period, there were a few like me who were although praying for an end to this pandemic but also secretly wishing for the lockdown to be extended.

 

It was somewhere around mid of may as I was having my breakfast, a very uncomfortable thought occurred to me .I could hear the chirping of the birds and the sound of traffic did not drown those voices. That was the moment I realised I am actually enjoying this lockdown. But are we allowed to say this when there are people who are desperately fighting for their lives? Just to give a heads up: 'Loving the Lockdown does not equal to Loving the Pandemic'. 

 

Where on one side some people were consistently using the cliched dialogue of how boring the lockdown was, there were people on the other side who ensured that the lockdown becomes a memorable one. The one who had borrowed a huge amount for his dream home but never really got to spend any real time in it, was enjoying each and every minute he spent in his home. Where on one hand there were some who were reviving their long lost passion of any form of art, others scientists were doing all sorts of R&D in the kitchen. No wonder 'the not so good Dalgona Coffee' became viral. No one knew playing a game of Carrom with family could be so blissful. It was also surprising to see that a simple game of Playing Cards could be played with such high intensity.

 

The people we love were just as dear to us before this odd time as they will be when it’s over. But the lockdown has taught us less about the supremacy of love and more about the importance of spending quality time with the people we love. Few who often argue about not spending enough quality time with family got what they were craving since long. The bond between families got stronger in the lockdown. And while some are terribly missing their early morning exercises, you wouldn't mind lying on your bed a bit later each day. You have to agree that you're proud of yourself for changing your spending habits on clothes, food etc. And if you think about it, you've actually fallen less ill in the past few months becasue the lockdown has helped you focus on healthier eating habits and cutting down on fast Food. If you say that the work from home culture isn't your cup of tea where your job profile suits you to work from home , you probably don't love what you do. (For others whose work profile is such that they cannot work from home, it's an altogether different struggle). Perhaps one of the most positive highlights of the lockdown was the way in which our planet had a break from all the different types of pollution and rapid use of limited resources. Lying on your bed and watching a movie without worrying about your work tomorrow is the actual definition of 'Netflix and Chill'.

 

Now since slowly everything is going back to normal like in the pre-covid period, there are few sighs who wish the same to continue a bit longer. Although a bit early, the lockdown has given most of us a glimpse of what our post retirement life would be. And if you've enjoyed this lockdown period , you are going to be pretty happy in your post retirement life.