Lockdown 2020

7 June 2020

 

It’s around 75 days of lock-down in India (Well... 74 to be exact). And 46 days into my new Job. Both the events were interlinked for me and had far reaching impact. My world has been turned 180 degrees though I'm sure majority of people can echo the same thoughts. I have seen enough memes, motivation messages and stories about utilizing your time in upgrading your qualification. However personally I have been found wanting to effectively utilize the extra time at my disposal.

Part of this procrastination can be attributed to the atmosphere of uncertainty due to Coronavirus. In my case the uncertainty as doubled as I was in between jobs. As I had put it, it was the wrong time for right decision. As someone who was very prone to self-doubts. The situation was doubly stress-full for me with everyone advising me against this decision. Even my standard reason that It was a calculated risk was losing its sheen even for me. Part of the reason that I still stuck with my decision was because my previous company was not interested in retaining me. 

 

23 July 2020

 

The very fact that I am writing the second parts of post after so many days and its relevant of the topic is a grim reminder enough that COVID 19 situation is still not over is India. Even though we are not in official lockdown now. But the cases are increasing gradually and steadily belying all the previous expectation by government and the public at large.

This uncertainty is going to stay with us for now. With prefect 6/6 hindsight. If I had known that I will have 125 days with ample time in my hand for total transformation. Perhaps things would have been different. All along for last 4 years. I had believed that my biggest problem is lack of time and the toxic environment in the office. 

Interestingly, I am not in a situation where both pain points are removed now.

I'm working from home due to Corona earlier and later new job.

In a new job hence no bitterness from previous job either.

Still everything is not hunky dory as it looked with rose tinted glasses in my dreams. The time seems to fly away, and I struggle to explain at the end of day about what I did the full day. There are some inherent challenges in work from home like no transition between informal atmosphere at home and official decorum. Plus, lack of support system of colleagues which keeps you focused (however difficult to believe it may be)

The question to be asked is that where these extra hours gone in that case. In my previous hours (my office commute itself was around 5-6 hours easily which is a huge saving). What I could gather from my schedule is as below

 

1) More sleep: I was guilty of compromising on my sleep-in order to keep up with my ungodly schedule in previous job. My total sleep hours were right in very unhealthy category. It was also showing in frequent bouts of fever that I used to have in that company. Hopefully, the damage was reversible and now I am back to having required 6 to 8 hours of sleep. If anything, I am well rested now. The only challenge that I face is regarding getting up early as that is the only time when I can exercise in peace or rather do anything in peace before other family members wake up

 

2) Exercise / daily stop target: The second change considering my new schedule is regarding physical activity. Previously I do not have any time to exercise and my job mainly comprises of sitting on chair in front of laptop or sitting in car driving to and from office. It created all sorts of issues related to back pain. As I am approaching wrong side of 40 now. I tried by best to incorporate some exercise in my daily routine, but it was a challenge due to real paucity of time. Now that I have ample time at my disposal. I am realizing that it is not easy to implement healthy lifestyle even if you have time to do so. Willpower and discipline are as important as availability of time. Slowly and gradually If moving towards active lifestyle from a totally sedentary one. Counting my steps is an easy alternative to achieve the means. Courtesy the health app on my phone. I can keep track of how many steps I walk in a way. In my previous company I even struggle to achieve 1500 steps on a bad day, and I target was hovering around 6000 steps. As walking is easy compared to hardcore exercise. I manage to keep us at this target. My average is hovering around 8k to 10k and on good days I could achieve 15-16k too.

However only walking in not enough of physical activity and I'm really struggling to add any other more hardcore physical activities in my daily schedule. Initially I had plans to join gym which is ruled out now due to COVID 19 problems. For now, I'm following the Nike Training Club app again which offers workout plan of various durations for strengthening, flexibility etc. I understand even this is not enough but at least I have the solace of taking small-small steps towards the goal.

 

2 August 2020

3) Book reading: It’s a good marker about my metal condition. I have been a bibliophile for quite some time now. Although a bit shallow in my reading hobbies now. But nonetheless I still love to devour books which is constant for many years barring a break in between which was quite recent. Just before I left my last company, there was an internal of many months where I was not feeling like reading any books whatsoever. Infact, in a rarity, I missed my reading target last year which has not happened for many years. Perhaps it was a sign about my state of mind in that period. Even after lockdown and some days into my new job. I have not started book reading immediately. Gradually I rekindled my love of kindle. Now I am back in groove as far as reading books is concerned. The only point is regarding moving from quantity to quality which is easier said than done. I can finish my stable of books (thrillers, myth fiction) over a night's read but struggle when it comes to heavier reads as I struggle to concentrate for longer duration.

 

7 August 2020

4) Binge watching: Occasionally I love to let my hair down and binge on whatever the OTT platform has to offer. But the two pre-requisites for the same, Peace of mind and some spare time at my disposal; are the two things which remains elusive for me. However due to lock-down and working from home, I had ample time on my hands-on weekends, and I can afford to immerse in binge watching. Peace of mind remains a Chimera, nonetheless. In a small measure, there was also this idea to utilize the complete data package available to me as part of my WI-FI plan. I have finished a few web-series. However, there is a limit on how many series are available free or on my subscription as I do not want to spend money on subscribing every OTT provider specially when there is so much data available for free.

 

PS: At conclusion of this post, Its 135 days from the lockdown. The situation has only got worse regarding no of cases. India’s covid-curve seems like an ideal growth curve as ironically it is showing steading growth with no signs of tapering-off in sight.

The situation is bleak looking right now. I try to imagine the scenario in future when Corona will be over and thinking that how will we judge this period. Whether It bring out the best in us or the worst in guess. I guess, only time will tell.