How I Rediscovered My Life amidst a Global Pandemic

Do you know that 2,440 U.S. army personnel have been killed in combat during the 18 year-long U.S. – Afghan war? In comparison, the Coronavirus global pandemic has killed 12,902 Americans in just over 2 months.

COVID-19 is an invisible enemy that is causing panic, dread, and anxiety akin to wartime. As governments impose social distancing and commercial lockdowns, people are forced to sequester in their homes for an indefinite time. And I am one of those people.

Although I am a self-proclaimed social hermit, this prolonged isolation is making even me miss the hustle-bustle of a normal life. I am craving the outside world like an addict hungers for a fix; I miss grocery shopping and going to get my hair done. I miss hanging out with my friends in a well-lit restaurant, swaying to the music in a concert with thousands of others, and queuing up to get my book signed from my favorite author.

After I hit the 10-day mark, my frustration reached unprecedented levels. The news of new deaths and the rising number of infectees, along with abhorrent behaviors of hoarding and price hikes, was enough to make me lose faith in life and the human race.

But just as I was about to give up and wait for imminent death, life-affirming inspiration hit me from all sides. Through the magic of social media, I saw a father holding his newborn son, a 90-year old man coloring his wife’s hair, and a grandpa singing to his infected wife from the other side of the window. It seems life does go on, and the notorious resilience of humans will conquer in the end.

Inspired by these stories, I set to reclaim my life in a global pandemic. If you are suffering from corona generated dysphoria, take a leaf or two out of my book for inspiration.

Here is how I found the passion for life again:

1. I Am My Own Savior

I discovered during this global pandemic that nothing will get better unless I want it to get better – sure, I can’t do anything about curing Coronavirus, but I can surely try to do something productive with my time.

Being in charge of your own happiness is extremely important, take the following steps to get your Zen on:

• Analyze yourself – who are you? What are your pros and cons? What makes you happy? What makes you sad?
• Accept yourself for who you are – embrace your shortcomings and stop putting yourself down.
• Don’t focus on short-term happiness – incorporate behaviors, habits, activities, and even people who will make you happy in the long term.
• Don’t compete with others – you are bound to get jealous, hurt, and disappointed if you compare yourself to others. Do your own thing.
• Let go of Negative Thoughts – wallowing in despair sounds more poetic, but positive thoughts are the balm for your soul!
• Stop Trying to Control everything – planning is good, but over-planning is a one-way road to stress ulcers. Make reasonable plans but be flexible; accept the unexpected curves gracefully.
  

2. But Family and Friends Are helpful Too

Yes, you are in charge of your own happiness, but your friends and family play a significant role too. Lean on your loved ones during this global pandemic.

If this global pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s the transience of life. We have become so busy in our lives that we hardly make time for each other; take self-isolation as an opportunity and a blessing to reconnect with the people you love.

Reignite relationships with your parents, siblings, and grandparents. Ask about their lives, get to know who they are, and tell them about yourself.

3. Health is Wealth

I never thought that a killer virus will be the end of us – take COVID-19 as a wakeup call to establish healthy habits. Invest in yourself – take care of your health, eat healthily, get regular checkups (after the pandemic is over), eat vitamins and supplements, exercise, get enough sunshine, take care of your mental well-being, and do things that make you happy.

It is essential to take a break from your daily chores – treat yourself to a day off by hiring professional services for housework. For instance, you may hire a cleaning service like Carpet Cleaning Bromley to clean your house while you enjoy a quite afternoon. Don’t feel guilty about taking a break, You deserve it! 

4. Routines are Healthy

Many people are working from home while others have been given vacations. Whether you are working or not, routines are essential for a happy life. Otherwise, one day just melts into the other, and we start to nihilistic thoughts.

Even if you are stuck at home, make a routine, and stick to it during this global pandemic.

5. Rediscover your Passion during this global pandemic
   

This is the time to rediscover your passion – did you want to be a painter but ended up becoming a lawyer instead? Now is the time to reengage with your suppressed selves. Find inspiration in the thousands of people posting paintings, songs, embroidery, calligraphy, short stories, poems, and baked goodies on social media.

But remember, it is not a competition. If your passion is to binge-watch Mad Men on Netflix, then that’s fine too. New hobbies and old flames keep us motivated and energized, they are worth looking into.  

6. Kindness is Key

I am not trying to be preachy, but compassion does heal your sole. Incorporate altruistic behaviors in your daily life – you don’t have to start a charity to be kind. Small acts like asking about the wellness of another person, giving good advice, buying groceries for your neighbor, and cooking a hot meal for a homeless person are just as good.

Being kind doesn’t have to be hard. Just keep a lookout for people around you and help them in any way you can.

Conclusion

Coronavirus pandemic and the resulting quarantine is making us all reevaluate our life. As the lockdown lengthens, most of us begin to suffer from corona blues. We have to remind ourselves that this global pandemic is temporary, and we will get over it sooner or later. In the meanwhile, remember to incorporate a positive attitude, good habits, and kindness in your lives. Engage in activities that fuel your passion and keep you motivated.

Good times are just around the corner.

Which activities have you found comforting during this time? Share feel-good stories with us to inspire others!