By Tanupriya Singh in New Jersey
Who would have thought that 2020 will be a year we would spend locked up in our homes. I had so many plans for this year especially for Summers, I still do but those are different from the ones I made before this pandemic hit us. When I first got the news from work that we have to work from home until further notice, I thought its a matter of a few weeks and everything will be back to normal. Who knew that the “normal” is about to change.
Where adjustments began:
– Staying at homes at all times and setting up a workstation remotely
– Checking up on family and friends and news for constant updates
– Hoarding essentials and rationing stock
– Sanitizing – maniacally
– Cleaning, cooking, mopping –
Where the new normal was built:
– The daily routine started to fall in place.
– Everyone knew of their duties and it became like a clockwork.
– Gyms were closed, so an exercise regime was made for home.
– Never-ending video chats with friends and family.
– “Once upon a time” connections kind of bloomed again.
Where acceptance kicked in:
– A realization dawned that this wasn’t a short phase of displacement. This will be the new normal.
– Making new plans and moving forward in life became the goal.
– No more grocery deliveries, take precautions and get them yourself.
– Saving for a rainy day or a big-ticket purchase became important.
– Sanitization became slightly less rigorous.
– Started meeting family and extremely close friends because you know – “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara”
Where hope became part of life:
– We came closer to the people we call family.
– The focus shifted inwards vs outwards.
– Great learnings about self and surroundings took place.
– Home-cooked food became the most important part of daily life.
– Health, nutrition, immunity was back with a bang and people felt the need to focus on it.
All in all, this indeed became a great learning experience – of not taking things for granted, after all – “Kal Ho Na Ho”!!
Writer – Tanupriya Singh is an IT professional in New Jersey, USA.
