10 Lessons From a Global Pandemic

It seems like life never stops surprising. The COVID-19 global pandemic has been easy for neither you nor me. Myriad feelings evoked, tough challenges overcome, hope being held on to. Once taken aback by this dynamic situation, we all powered through towards looking at the bright side. I did the same, and in hope to restore my faith decided to write down all that I was grateful for. Surprisingly, I was able to list a few things that I had achieved in 2020!

1. Human Touch is Super Essential : Being an omnivert, I have had my fair share of social inhibitions. When the country went into lockdown, my scare for an apocalyptic end was blanketed by a relief over finally being by myself. While I thought that this phase would allow me to be more with my thoughts and less under the obligations of geniality, time taught me the importance of human connection. In my lowest days I searched for a friendly conversation, in my anxiety I looked for someone to get me out of my head. While it’s important to engage with the right people, IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO SIMPLY ENGAGE WITH PEOPLE.
2. Every Situation Is An Opportunity For Something : Life as I knew it had come to a standstill. Being a dancer under injury, I lost complete touch with my dancing. All I had worked for seemed like a useless journey to nothing. But all this time gave me an opportunity to reflect on the life experience I had gained. All this time also gave me the opportunity to get back to my old hobbies, and I found the courage to write again. To share my writing with the world. A beautiful new journey has begun since, as I am learning to use ‘now’ to my benefit rather than lament over how it came to be.
3. Reading Is A Gateway To New Territory : I have been an avid reader since I was 11. While I have always been grateful to books for helping me escape tasteless situations, I have now a newfound awe for their ability to transport me to the top of the world, to a place where my physical being ceases to matter anymore. Holed up in my room for three months, I have visited past cultures, novel ideas, new places, and diverse people. I have learned and experienced and I am full now, bursting with new feelings and revelations every day. I close my book, and it’s refreshing to be back home in my room again. 
4. Family Is Always A Good Idea : We are busy beings, out to grab the world. I am 21, and my idea of success revolves around self growth and new experiences. From being out 14 hours a day, my life slumped down to being home for all 24. While we were on for a rough start, my family’s warm joy at having their baby girl home overwhelmed me. My questionable lifestyle was silently left behind as my mother took me in her arms. I know people who are getting through this tough time alone, and how they wish they could have the comfort of family to nestle in. On the other hand are some who cannot stand being in the same room as their siblings or are in constant avoidance of their parents. When life gets hard and you are even harder on yourself, it is family that you find your essence in, undoubtedly.
5. Distance Is Overrated : Real relationships feed on knowledge. On the knowledge that feelings are mutual, care is a forever given, and distance matters nil. Words have failed at this time, seeming to be powered more by activity than perspective. Communication becomes a matter of silence. My closest friends have embarked on journeys of their own, but a small gesture or a thoughtful message is enough for us to know that our hands are still clasped no matter where we are. Contrarily, many I met on a daily basis phased out instantaneously. 
6. The Power Of The Sun Is A Rejuvenating Energy : I miss being in the Sun. My little house is overshadowed by tall multi-flat buildings now; though on the days when standing in the wind makes me feel better than sitting in the comfort of roofs and walls, I wonder what their point is. I miss the way the sultry heat made my blood simmer alive, the way the rays of the Sun reflected rosy red on my cheeks and health was more of a feeling than a goal. 
7. Human Rights Aren’t a Fact For All : The pandemic brought to surface the harsh problems of the third world, and gruesome realities of the first. In the first month of the Coronavirus Pandemic, I read about 7 year old children eating grass off the ground, and it’s an image that will never leave my mind. This time made me realise that for some, there are bigger issues than a globally uniting pandemic. For some, basic sustenance and liberty are luxuries they struggle for every day. Acquiring these wealths is enough for them to feel glad that they are alive. Beggars can’t be choosers, but I wonder why even in this global poverty of health and access, some groups get to choose better than others.
8. Death is Measured In Effect Not Cause : The conversation around death has increased manifold recently, but not enough is said about how life force is being affected. The novel Coronavirus took millions of lives in a matter of months, and our analytical minds reduced the impact to nothing but stats and numbers. The collective consciousness across various demographics seems to be only getting more rigid, refusing to indulge nuance and only caring about effect over cause. Mental health is deteriorating all around me, but its understanding somehow never deepens. Dig deep, they say.
9. Live In The Moment : In answer to every question, my brother would say, “Just ask yourself if you died tomorrow, would you be content with the life you’d lived?” If someone had asked me what my plans for being 21 were, my answer would have included some big words. Now it’s been three months and stepping out of the house is an achievement. The complete toppling over of my life has taught me to stop expecting too much of the future. All there is to do is to live this moment to the point where tomorrow you shall be content with it. So now I take what comes to me, and make sure I enjoy its unique importance in my life here and now, because who knows where I will be tomorrow!
10. Goals Are A Better Pick-Me-Up Than Coffee : Once I had come to terms with the lockdown living, enjoying whatever I did became easier. Slowly I started using my newfound perspective to build myself further. A half filled diary of daily routines and monthly goals has taught me how benchmarks make life easier to live, making it seem faster and fuller. At the end of every accomplishment I feel renewed, at every failure I have gained an experience to live with. On days when there seems no purpose to life within this apocalyptic big picture, my tiny goals give me a reason to get out of bed.

Featured Art by Pooja Gupta
Captured by Ria Gupta