"What’s your takeaway?"
"What’s your takeaway?"
We’re slowly emerging out of a three-month long lockdown, and back into a world that is hardly any safer. In all likelihood, this will be our World War II, or martial law—the same way our elders are inclined to say, “During the war..” or “During martial law…” as a prelude to their stories, we would be beginning our tales with “During the pandemic of 2020…”
I started writing this column with the title “Three things I learned while on lockdown.” I wanted to share some of my reflections and wondered whether others would be able to relate to them. But then my list grew to five, to, seven, to eight—and finally ten. It’s good practice to take stock of what you learn even from the bleakest of events.
Here are mine.
One, we don’t need a lot of stuff. Because I hardly went out (aside from trips to the supermarket, the fruit/ veggie stand or the pharmacy), I found I could survive without the present number of clothes, shoes and bags I now own. One only needs a few basic items. Having more does not necessarily make one a better, or bigger, person. This quarantine period made me rethink my consumption habits.
Second, we can prepare our own food. It used to be so convenient especially when you had neither energy nor time. In fact, a home-cooked meal, especially one communally prepared, could be so good for all the effort that comes with it. I understand not everybody is similarly inclined, and perhaps I am fortunate that at least two of my children take so much interest in food preparation. We still order out, of course, but we now stick to a budget and frequency cap.
Third, we can stay healthy without going to the gym. Never underestimate how fruits and vegetables can help you stay in your best form (bonus: Your increased consumption is helping local farmers and sellers). Expensive gym memberships are a thing of the past: The Internet is a rich source of workout and dance videos, which you can do in your living room or bedroom. Working out in front of the TV just before dinner has become a nice bonding moment for our family—even if some of us are obviously more serious than the others.
Fourth, quality time is still possible even if quantity has been enforced. This is your time with your loved ones, and they will remember this for years and years to come. Are you together together, or just nominally together? Your kids will grow up and you will grow old. Are you making “now” count?
Fifth, education is not limited to the four walls of the classroom. Online learning is one way to compensate, assuming your family is blessed with the means to afford tools. Then again, just reading the news and becoming aware of what is happening, or what is not happening, can also be a source of learning for impressionable minds. Stories of justice and injustice, current or historical, are instructive. Teach children not what to think, but how to think for themselves.
Sixth, art saves us. We are grateful to artists who make performances and movies free for streaming. Some museums have allowed a free virtual tour of their premises. We have the time to read the books either on the shelf or stored in our tablets. And thank God for the deluge of movies, shows and music. What would we do without them?
Seventh, have a healthy dose of doubt. It is easy to be affected negatively by what is happening around us. But not all news items are even true in the first place. Now, more than ever, we need to tell ourselves we should not believe everything we see on the Internet. We should be more discerning of the information that we receive.
Eighth, go off the grid every now and then. We can be online all the time, sure, but it does not mean we have to be. There is just too much noise and distraction that fuel our worries, and for the sake of our own mental well-being, we need our own digital quiet.
Ninth, be counted. Even if you are cooped up at home, you can stay connected to your community and country. You can participate. You may “only” be online, but your presence and your sentiments matter. Last we looked, we were still a democracy, and so we should make our voice heard. We should applaud worthy initiatives and criticize deplorable acts and omissions. This is our right and our duty as citizens, and we should not let anything cow us.
Finally, be guided by gratitude and empathy. Let us be mindful of the privileges we enjoy and the blessings we reap. Recognize that many others do not enjoy the same. Be aware of suffering and injustice, and strive to do what we can. What makes all the difference between us and those who have to struggle? Nothing but mere accident of birth.
There is much talk about the new normal. May we carry all our learnings to that new phase.