10 things to do when social distancing - Life during COVID -19

We truly live in a time of crisis, with most of us experiencing a pandemic that has changed the way we wash our hands, interact with others, look out for each other and jump at the sound of someone's cough. As we are being encouraged and told to practice social distancing, we find ourselves with plenty of time on our hands as we can’t go out to public places and are confined to our houses. 

It’s been slightly more than a week since I have gone into self-quarantine and I have realized that having a routine makes it easier and more efficient for me to get things done. So I have picked up few things which I am doing and feel we can all do, with the time we now have owing to no commute, social life and work from home during this self-quarantine period. If you need an accountability partner to help you through your tasks, I am available - just reach out :).

So go on, check out the list :

1. Work out at home & rest: Use this time to recuperate from the fast life you have been leading, get your sleep and exercise. Set aside 30 minutes to 1 hour to do workouts at home – it could be yoga, a mix of different exercises or even your favorite dance routine. This will help release endorphins which gives you a positive feeling – much needed in these times. Also, make it a point to sleep for a minimum of 8 hours to ensure you keep your immune system in good working condition.

I found this one helpful and have made a home work out combined with yoga and exercises.
You can make one that suits your health too.
Image Courtesy: Balancing Bites

2. Learn a course: Was there a professional course you wanted to do, but couldn’t since you didn’t have time? Then this is it, there are plenty of free and paid courses you can take from the comforts of your home. At the end of the self-quarantine, you would have added a new skill - you can choose to learn an instrument or complete a course in a subject of your interest. I am doing a course in Marketing on HubSpot as I feel it will add value to my career, what would you like to learn?

3. Watch your favorite movies/ tv-shows: We all have plenty of movies/ tv-shows we want to watch at any point in time – now is the time to catch up on them. I tend to avoid watching shows (overstatement!) because I get hooked on to them pretty quickly and can’t focus on other stuff until I finish watching all of it, so movies are my go-to option. I am going to be watching all the movies nominated for the Academy Awards and the show Fleabag (in moderation), let me know your suggestions.

4. Take care of your mind: This self-quarantine time at home has been quite a chaotic time for me, at times I feel low and some other times calm. And in moments when I feel anxious, I take a deep breath and focus on my breath and become mindful of my body and senses. This has always helped me, take a deep breath right now – I am sure you will feel slightly relieved once you exhale. I'd suggest trying meditation, I have found it particularly useful. There are really good apps like Headspace and Calm which will take you through a guided meditation, to help ground you. 

Image courtesy : Business Insider

5. Read a book: For those of you book lovers who keep complaining that we don’t have time to read - guess we have got that problem solved now. Set a goal to read and try to achieve it during this period. I have set a target of two books; Sapiens by Yuval Noah Hariri & The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. I would like to know which books you are reading, do give me your suggestions.

As a book hoarder, I am always tempted to buy books and have plenty of unread books in my bookshelf - that oddly comforts me since I won't run out of books.
Image Courtesy: Bookidote

6. Create art: You could be a poet, singer, musician, painter, writer, photographer or interested in creating any form of art. I urge you to take this time to create art, it will help you relax and keep your mind active. You never know who will be inspired by your art and the world needs more of it during the time that we are living in. We can’t all just be doing jobs; we do need hobbies that help us relax too. I am going to be writing poetry and also learning to paint - I will share them on Instagram and here on my blog, I would love to see your creations- do share them (please).

" The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before" - Neil Gaiman
Image Courtesy: WWAS

7. Healthy eating & Self-care: This is a time when you are away from pollution and hectic schedules, so use this time to take care of yourself. Indulge in those head massages, nourish your skin, exfoliate and spend time to give your body the attention it needs. This is also a great time to cut down on junk food and cook up yummy healthy meals with family and loved ones. I have personally felt a good change in my body after I included more salad and fruits in my diet, you can try it and implement it as per your dietary requirements. Since we need to stay at home, we can come up with a healthy eating routine and cook well balanced nutritious meals, because we have the luxury of time.

The Harvard Healthy Eating Pyramid
Image Courtesy: Health guide

8. Reflect & Introspect: We are not perfect individuals and if you believe so, then sorry to burst your bubble. Take this time to connect with yourself and introspect to understand your patterns and behavior. Also, become self-aware and understand your shadow self. I have taken up journaling to help me in this introspection, you can adopt other practices that help you. This will also help you understand yourself, be grounded and understand the emotions you are feeling.

Take time and get to know yourself

Image Courtesy: Vocal

9. DIY & Organise:  Pick up any project that you can do yourself- could be a shoe stand, jewelry organiser, wine rack, decorating your personal space or even re-organising your home. This will help you keep your creative mind active and add a new look to your space. My project is to make a gratitude calendar where I can keep track of all the good things that happened to me throughout the year, this is for me to develop gratitude and remind me of the good things in life.

I am working on making a similar gratitude calendar.
Image Courtesy: Habits for wellbeing

10. Relax and connect with your loved ones: It is an emotionally difficult time and since we are bound to our homes, we are prone to feeling lonely. Call or video chat with your friends and family, reconnect with old friends, have fun group calls – all of us can do with some cheer and conversation. Don't forget to spend time with family at home - could be a board game, helping around the house or just having a nice conversation.

When these adorable dogs can video call, we definitely should!

Image Courtesy: Pinterest

The above list is not a checklist you need to do, just some things I have chosen to do - feel free to pick the ones which interest you and leave the rest. Don’t let this make you feel pressured and if all you want to do is take a break - that’s fine too. Do what works for you, I would love to know what you have picked up during this period. And if ever you want to talk to someone, you can always reach out to me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or even in the comments here and I will write back to you.

Just a note before I end this post - if you are feeling very uncertain/pressured know that no one has got it all under control (though it may look like it). Every time I complain that I am lagging on my goals and everyone else seems to be well figured out, my very dear friend sings a song. The lyric from the song goes like this, “These guys, they've all got their problems”. It’s a reminder for me that I am good enough and to live every moment fully in the present without comparing myself to others (I'm still trying to do that). So live carpe diem folks!

Getting back to writing feels amazing and I intend to continue. Let me know your thoughts on the current situation and your feedback in the comments below. Take care and stay at home, I hope you and your family are safe.

Note: If you can help shop for elderly neighbors, feed stray animals and provide some money to those who need - please do. Your kindness will make someone's day. Do remember to stay safe and take the necessary precautions. 

I found this infographic useful, so sharing it here 
            Image Courtesy: Maeeel 

 

10 things I learnt from my 24 years on Earth!

It’s May 2016, we have forgotten the resolutions we made in January and are slowly realizing that nothing has really changed like we wish every New Year. But amidst this familiar routine, few things are added- a new job, shift to another city, relationship changes and so on. Sifting through all the  short lived resolutions , celebrations , heart breaks, joys, career gains, trips and umpteen other memories ; it struck me that I have been here on Planet Earth, a tiny speck in the entire universe, for 24 years (never ask a lady her age apparently, but what if she is a loudmouth like me !Makes it easier I guess J)  and  I wanted to write on what it is that I have actually learned in my time on Planet Earth.

During this entire time, I graduated  from school (14 years), Finished my college both undergrad & Masters  (6 years ), stayed away from home, lived on my own, got a job , and have been having  my share of fun! (My blog is constantly monitored by...F.. FBI (Nah!)  but by my parents so I will not let you know the details of “Fun”).I can already imagine the look my parents  are going to give me, anyhow lets worry about that later.

Image by Alex Noriega 

So this list is going to be few things I’m thankful to have known and will continue to follow ,while it may be things you  already know  .So, if you think it is right then you can take it forward, if not please do feel free to share your thoughts.

 I also do not want to sound like an annoying know-it-all-been-through-it-all because I still have tons of experiences to go through to be that boring ! So brace yourself guys! Here it comes :

1.   Life isn’t really fair : Yes we say justice and fairness , but the world has its own ways and everyone’s selfish except for very few people in our lives. And just because life isn’t fair, does not mean you should not stand up for what you believe in and fight for it.                                     

   

   Nothing like, what Harry Potter books taught us! 

   
   
2.    We are responsible for our happiness: If you have a monotonous routine which makes you dull – you are to be blamed. If you really want to be happy, take the effort to change things you want to. Indulge in experiences than in materialistic goals and surround yourself with positive people and goodness. And remember your mind controls how you feel, and you control your mind.                                                                                                                                                     

   

   Image by Heather

                                      
3.     Go solo : I used to hate solo dining. As a person who is used to and loves being around people it was quite different for me. But as I started growing older, I found solace in being alone with myself .It gives you a calmness, clarity and a better understanding of your single best buddy – YOURSELF!. It could be solo- travelling, dining, driving or even just a walk! This is also the best time to pick your brain and drown in your thoughts.                                               
      
4.    Be kind :  Yes ,we can be focused on our own happiness .But make sure you do not hurt anyone. Also do not behave in a way you would not want to be treated. Treat everyone warmly be it a stranger, an acquaintance or an animal .                                                             

   

   Image from Word Porn

5.  Experiment: Yes it is something I need to do often as well. Our world with a history of over six million years and a relate able civilization about 6,000 years old with 7 billion people, definitely has tons of exciting and interesting things in store for us- we just need to take the initiative. We have our comfort shell, which we are too resistant to come out of. It could be trying a new sport or getting a pixie haircut, if you have had it in your mind, Go Do IT! You will either feel good or never do it again, either way it’s a change/realization.                                     

   

   Image by Alex Noriega 

6.     Keep the kid in you alive : Don’t let the serious world intimidate and dull you. Go enjoy little pleasures and believe that anything and everything is possible by YOU. Do you want to jump puddles when its raining or collect sea shells on the beach ? What's stopping you ? Go do it, you will be happy you did.                          
   
7.     Keep learning : We all wanted to be out of  school, college and start working (also read as laze around). But once we got “ that job” we  got stuck up to it, binding ourselves to that routine and working like a clock .It is good because it gives you money to go on , and a job where you hopefully like what you do and get the experience( to get the next bigger better paying job/ to reach your ambitions). During this monotonous rush,we forget that we need to keep our brains healthy .                                                                                                 Information is abundant today; everything is available at a click. So make time in your daily schedule to read new interesting articles, stories and books .If reading never seemed interesting to you , watch a video  or listen to podcasts - about something you have always wondered about like who built the Stone henge or what is the golden ratio? Also remember how inquisitive you were as a kid, why did you let that die down? Go ask questions, explore and be passionately curious (Einstein said that!)                                                                                        

   

   Image by Poemsporn
8.  Learn to cook : That’s a survival tip! You don’t need to make an elaborate 4 course meal to make your future mother in law or wife happy, but you should be able to make a decent omelette sandwich or some tea to cheer you up from a tiring day. And feel free to send me some as well.  
   
9. Travel : As a generation , we Millennial’s  are not tourists but travelers. We travel frugally and blend in like a local, instead of just visiting the touristy spots we find joy in relaxing in the nondescript cafes and exploring street bazaars. As a person who hasn’t traveled much but has kept it as a personal resolution to I would suggest the same to you dear reader. Go far and wide with an open mind, travel everywhere. It needn’t be the 7 wonders of the world; each city is a beauty waiting to be explored. Travelling  makes us aware of our fears and dependencies, and each journey will be an experience. What's life without a little adventure :)                                                                    

   

                   Image by Melissa 

    
10.    Meet  people from different cultures & Age groups : Yes befriend that person from a different country or different place in India with  whom you haven’t spoken to because you have your cozy comfortable friend circle. Each person has a story and is living one, which might be similar to yours or very different .Talking to them will open up your mind and thoughts when you see how unique each culture is and yet in all that diversity some of the values are all the same. At the end of the day we are all human.

    

    Image by Alex Noriega 

So, don’t worry about people judging you , whatever you do they will .

There are many more things I can add to this list, but I do not want to be phoney so I have included only things that I follow or have learnt along the way.
So do let me know your feedback, if you think this is useful or not I would love to hear back from you !

Till my next post (which will be soon, InshAllah.) . Go live life Carpe diem ! J
Keep that beautiful smile on, there’s lot more in the world to seek, learn and discover ! J

P.S: The images used in this post have been taken from the Internet, I have linked the sources which I am aware of.For those which I do not know the originator, please send me a message/comment and I will link your profile to the picture.
Thank you for allowing me to use these pictures , they are wonderful :)

Image by Heather