As the World has Opened up - Part 1: 2 min read

When Covid introduced an era of WFH1, we became “performers”. There were singers, painters, bloggers and virtual marathoners among us. The privilege secured us from the worry of losing our jobs. We learnt to appreciate every moment, live consciously and use our spare time. We chanced upon an opportunity to pause and re-examine our blueprint of happiness.

Here are a few lessons I am taking into my new normal.

1.  Courage to operate from a point of empathy within my circle of influence. My part-time help lost all her jobs during the lockdown. I made a few small adjustments to help her tide through job loss and inflation.

2.   Remain focussed on the tasks at hand. Often in our day to day living we lose track and meander aimlessly. The last two years taught me to divide my day. In each segment, I try to stay focussed. It helps me complete more and provides a good blend to keep boredom away. And when you are not jaded by something, you are more productive.

3.  Make a difference to a person or cause – at least at comfortably paced intervals! This reminds me of a story about the starfishes and a little boy on the seashore. Sure he would not be able to save all the starfishes by putting them back into the sea. But, he made a difference to the ones he did.2

4. Utililise my potential. Over the years, circumstances and largely for my own lethargy, I have neglected my talents. Overlooked possibilities and shelved many dreams. Regularising my “blog” is an attempt to restore some of them. 

5.  To be a minimalist3 as much as possible. I am generally cautious but the lockdowns brought a different dimension altogether. Rationing was imperative not only for scarcity but for safety. Going out even for essentials had to be curtailed when online shopping was not an option. Apart from clothes, I found my cupboard full of toiletries that I collected from our holidays. I decided to use up everything before buying next. The decision was immensely gratifying.

Are these shifts sustainable? Once the masks and sanitisers make an exit, will conscious living last? Will the next "new normal" be better than the one we have left behind? The answer is more complicated than we think, needing an alteration of our outlook and conduct.

I am willing to try, will you come with me?

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