Right, all of us are swamped under our feet. Suddenly transported to new realm we usually imagined, applauded and fantasied in entertainment zone, leaving the show with thrilling finale that reassures at the end the world is the same place that you left before entering the fictional story world.
At the end the world order gets restored, that is such a reassuring thought to go back to sleep to. Too good to be true! Now, in today’s reality the chaos that prevails there is only murky future and uncertain possibilities demanding unprecedented zealous courage and strong personal order to resist and sustain the tide.
In an effort to do so, we all are left on unchartered road to pave a path that help us survive, assist to bear the prolonged pause that life has become. Some minds have frozen in time, some have gone dormant, some dwindling between dark to light, where as other are trying to reach out to seeking the Sun that brighten them up to guiding light. We read, we listen to podcasts, we have WhatsApp groups that are swamped with messages, motivation, forwards, videos to speeches.
All somewhere comforting our own inner fears and telling us “we are in this together“ ! How reassuring, right ?
A simple thought that I am not in this alone is comforting. My friend, my neighbour, my cousin, my family, my colleague, my city, my country and look the whole world is like me locked up in their home. Fending for their lives, hiding behind walls from the unknown virus, invisible infectious being who might take the life we cherish beyond all the worldly possessions. Career, Travel, Routine, Gym, Shopping all have become perishable.
Survival, is all that everyone is focused on right now, Staying alive !
Important question here is how is this fight for individual survival same for all of us?
Let’s dig little deeper to this thought, our common denominator in this world’s messed up equation is “home”. Our rescue is our abodes, they are truly our nesting ground currently. Comforting, providing safe heaven as beyond the walls unknown devil lurks at us with catastrophe we never saw coming. That is it.
Beyond this thought, except the sea where we all harbour our boats called ‘home’, we are all alone with our individual battles in this vast world like we have always been. Aha, I said it and broke the glass ceiling we all have been leaning against. This mirage needed the breaking because it was nesting the pseudo cushion, interim release that blocked the harder push we all need to look at our lives in this changed scenario.
Introspection isn’t a common practice with everyone. The way we lead ours lives, choices we make or habits we adapt to, because life goes on, jobs keep paying, friends keep entertaining and days do pass by. It is abrupt and sudden realisation when we social beings who lean on different social support system are left alone to live by ourselves we come to realise who we are actually ? And how much of living I can do with just myself ? ( I distinctly remember an old colleague saying she is in bad marriage because she doesn’t know how to live with herself alone post divorce, so let the life go on I am not happy but at least my life is going on without much efforts. )
Such is our plight on which we base our existence. Social dependence that brings emotional comfort and existential assurance. And life goes on.
But what now ? We are alone, we can’t meet people we use to, we can’t socialise the way we loved, we can’t travel and find meaningful quotes and verses, we can’t even indulge on things we would crave for, desires are tamed. And yet, life needs to go on.
Socially evolved being, Home Sapiens, a species that pride themselves for being evolved and superior race with an intellect and social etiquettes are left alone to figure this new world order.
Here is where the one who make an effort to opens up to the inner Pandora’s box, with however arduous efforts it may take, will find the jewel that rest in with all the answers one may need.
Inner peace !
No, I am not asking you to take nirvana and medicate your way to quarantine !
For starters I am suggesting lot of hard hitting self discussion and lots of pondering over them.
How Am I Dealing With This Loneliness ?
Let’s be honest and ask ourselves this first question.
Are you freaking your way to quarantine with doubts, questions and worries without actually doing anything about it ? Or binge watching series after series and movies after movies thrown at you by highly recommended friends and OTT advertising on your social feeds? Wondering clueless at nights what is going to happen and who is going to be infected next to me ? How about the global, country, state, city, street positive count? Or constantly video calling friends for existential reassurance.
If you in this loop after 40+ days of staying in quarantine means you are sure doing something wrong. You are yet to accept and readapt the new normal and find your way to life in new ecosystem.
Purpose : a strong word , it means reason for human beings to get up every morning and go about their life. If you haven’t found new purpose or meaningful reason than you are just shuttling between random activities and filler video calls.
PS: By no means I infer that we don’t need support system or lean on to friends and family now and again in this difficult time but there is fine difference between wellbeing, camaraderie and emotional clinging. One that clouds independent action is cause for worry.
Get up tomorrow morning do nothing, hold your cup of tea near the window and ask hard questions to yourself, how do you want to come out of this? Answer will sure come to you by the time you finish the cup of tea.
Is Cursing The Unknown Helping The Survival ?
What I don’t Understand, I will criticise. What intermediate me I will resist.
Some of us have lost the job, might not have enough saving to last, or burdened with responsibility we weren’t planned. Oh many might be burdened with physical and emotion stain of new overworked of daily chores+ family + work from home.
Always exhausted between the calls and meals, cleaning to death lines, we can’t even leave the work at the door and forget that life anymore. Adding to strain and stress, how to cope when whatever is done isn’t just enough.
Amongst this all the easiest is inaction, complain and rejection to possible opportunity that still in your hand. A corner of your mind, there rests a possible action you can take, a diffiucult learning curve waiting for your to bend harder. It is matter of individual effort to stretch and reach out.
Help yourself first !
Time for fasten seatbelt and listen to customary warning. In case of emergency landing put your safety jackets first, or in case of low cabin pressure put your own masks first. Why ? because only when you help yourself you are in condition to help others.
Liberate yourself with this realisation, help your own #QuarantinueLife with your own purpose, your own goals, your own challenge, your own learning and emerge not just alive but better version of yourself that you can pride upon.
Thankfully world is at finger tip access, but this is the time to be brave and face your own demons alone, break the shackles and find your purpose.
