Try These Lesser Known Lockdown Coping Mechanisms
Had you asked me two years ago how we, as the global population, might collectively choose to spend our time if we become confined to our homes, I would not say "by baking bread".
These uncommon trends or activities became so widespread over the past year that different phases of the pandemic can be easily defined by them. This is mostly because they helped us cope with these challenging times while many of us were stuck at home with nothing else to do.
Many of these trends went viral. However, there are a few that, although they helped people cope with the pandemic and the lockdowns, did not gain much popularity on the internet.
Here are some of those activities that are worth trying.
Eating Outdoors
No, not "outdoors". Outdoors as in on the balcony or your roof. This ritual can help break the monotony of eating, sleeping, and doing Zoom calls in the same enclosed space every day. Chances are most of us have tried to spend some time outdoors over the past year, only to get bored or end up in a state of not being able to avoid our lockdown-induced adverse thoughts. Eating outside will keep you occupied while getting some much-needed fresh air and vitamin D.
Flying Kites
At some point in the blurry passage of time, I remember regularly spotting colourful kites in the sky. Kite flying can result in moments of self-reflection regardless of which stage of life you are in, and the activity is pretty stress relieving. Looking up toward your kite is a healthy break for your neck and back from sitting like a shrimp in front of the computer all day. Practicalities aside, dive into the rare indulgence of doing a simple activity just for the sake of fun. And keeping a safe distance, engage your neighbours, too.
Watching Cable TV
Have you ever spent hours trying to choose from the endless amount of content on the internet, only to give up and stare into the void instead? Cable TV has fewer options, and arguably a larger range. You can even choose to watch Bangla cinema that isn't available elsewhere, and we all know what an experience that can be. There's little scope to accidentally binge watch a certain show through all your deadlines, and that allows you to anticipate how the cliffhanger is resolved till it's aired again.
Observing Your Surroundings
Normally, we spent the larger portion of the day at school or work, and the rest of it looking at our phones. Now that it's the new normal and we work online, what do we do when we've looked at our screens till we can't anymore? We try to become more aware of what surrounds us.
Look out the windows and know the place where you live. Talk to your neighbours and older family members about their life experiences and youth. If you prefer to avoid socialising, observe their activities and conversations. This is how you might find inspiration for your next endeavour if you're creatively inclined. Just don't stalk anyone, please.
Regardless of what the hustle culture narrative says, you really do not need to "utilise the time" or "maximise productivity". You might have time, but present conditions are far from optimal. These are trying times. So remember to take care of yourself and your family.
Amrin Tasnim Rafa challenges you to find something she won't think is confusing. Try your luck at [email protected]
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