Today is #DAY5 of being at home for me along with Work From Home husband and enjoying a school break my son. Till now going all good all have already settled themselves in this new set-up and as humans are known for getting adjusted to the various situation so have we again adjusted and adopted this new way of our life. I don’t remember ever in my lifetime that this situation had arisen where everyone is home at one go. I had this privilege with my husband during the honeymoon phase (that too we had gone out and not stayed at home).

Hmmm, interesting companies believed that WFH would not be productive however the salaried has been very productive working from home too so the business is standing strong (though there is nothing much this MARCH) but then all have come to terms that this March would be easier than all previous MARCH that has passed to date. Kids see no change as for them its extended endless weekends that have come in their life which they need to spend staying at home.

So, far so good all have come to terms. The major issues that have developed are in the minds of we ladies hmmm and you know why especially we who are working as freelancers and supporting the family. Now maids have gone off (they too need to be protected from this virus and we have to be considerate), work is = nil (for me who is a beginner) the household chores stand on your head to be completed, a kid to get all your attention, a husband who needs your complete support sitting in one room to do his office work. To make matters worse everywhere (from news to paper to WhatsApp to FB) all forms of information providing center are only creating more and more awareness on COVID-19). I don’t deny they are doing a good job, in fact, a brilliant job, however, the problem lies within us who are taking in so much information overload every minute second and creating panic and FEAR for ourselves. This Fear factor is doing no good for anyone. This is getting in our sub-conscious mind slowly and we are just overdoing in terms of prevention and protection and taking too much toll. I have almost sanitized my complete home, my kid’s toys, all clothes in the machine doesn’t come out without being washed by savlon, the bathroom doesn’t go unnoticed without the disinfected spray. My husband’s working station is sanitized twice daily (he doesn’t go out also still and there is no external contact there).

Today my maid said “DIDI apni eto korchen allah sathe palla ke dite pare” (DIDI you are doing so much but who can fight with Almighty) and this statement hit a cord in my mind OH Yes true but then I said “Allah sathe palla diji na go nijeke santhusti korchi” (i said not fighting against Almighty just being cautious of the situation and taking proper precaution). My maid said that’s good I wash my hands every one hour and after I touch anything (showed me her sanitizer). I was happy and content that at least she is the only one who is coming from out and she is completely aware of the precautionary measures. Kudos to the Government awareness campaign everyone is well aware (still exception do exists.)

Thus I don’t want to explain here what everyone already knows I just want to say that FEAR is the biggest enemy that we have and where FEAR and PANIC exist CONFIDENCE and PERSEVERANCE cant exist. We are well aware and equipped with all the information and preventive measures that we need to FIGHT is the FEAR FACTOR which is caused by the current situation. We should work towards being CALM and CAUTIOUS then only we can overcome this global pandemic. FEAR effects us by creating: PANIC, OVERTHINKING, OVERDOING, NEGATIVE THOUGHTS, DIPPING CONFIDENCE, OCD, DISTRACTION and STRESS. We already have a lot of stress in our lives and we don’t want more to creep in our minds and make our lives hell. A little of positive stress is good to take to keep us going and fight the battle however we should know when this Positive Stress has turned to Negative stress and then Depression and Negative livelihood.

To FIGHT the FEAR FACTOR follow these simple steps : –

• UT THE INFORMATION OVERLOAD: The market is flooded with all sorts of negative information regarding this virus, the people affected, people quarantined, the Sensex and market tobbling down daily, etc, etc, etc. How much negative information can the brain take understand you have to stop somewhere otherwise your brain will be filled with this and slowly you will see no light and your entire home would be full of sunlight. Don’t block your MIND, Block this news from your mind. don’t keep visiting this news every single minute better to refer it once or twice in a day to be updated with the situation.
• STOP OVERTHINKING & OVERDOING – With all things showing up negatively you start overthinking oooh the world is coming to an end, we would die soon, what’s there in life, I am not doing any work, business is failing so badly, will I survive my job or not. STOP this stupid thought and just GO WITH THE FLOW at present moment. If you are suffering being an individual believe me everyone is suffering be it the Ambanis of the world or someone like YOU and ME. Overdoing of protecting your house once is good not daily…after someday the virus will go away but then your paranoid behavior would affect the entire household.
• REFLECT INSIDE OUT – Rather than going out and getting the virus to stay at home in peace and reflect in your inner self. Work on your personal improvement and developing a stronger bond with your family. Reflecting inside doesn’t only mean thinking but thinking positively and work for improving your Self Esteem and Confidence. Do some reading, writing, make videos, learn new technology, new skill set, teach your kid your dance moves, yoga poses, get involved with your kids in absence of the (12-hour caretaker) maid and other help. If you have parents at home take some life gyaan and insights from them on how to live life in contingencies. JUST BE YOU and live your life
• TIME MANAGEMENT – When you used to run to the office then also you needed to manage your time and now also. Remember Time is not locked in it is free to tick-tock and move ahead. So don’t lose this time by ideal sitting and overthinking and overburdening it with negative thoughts. Instead of complete your routine work as always beforehand and then do something constructive. Detox your mind body soul with some yoga or Detox your Wardrobe and make them breathable. Put in your winter clothes and take the SUMMERS out and see what is wearable and what is not and finally do a complete DETOX of the clothes that you have in your wardrobe.
• DONT STRESS – Life has given us much positive stress for us to bear now don’t take more which your brain can’t handle. So in this BIG BOSS house kind of situation divide everyone’s responsibilities as much as possible and see that no one is burdened more with all the work and the virus attack stress. Help and support each other to have a smooth house flowing by. In CHINA the divorce cases have risen to 300% due to this BIG BOSS house setting, however, we have much deep-rooted heritage so we don’t expect this to happen however still don’t increase your stress. Be considerate and humane to all the members of the family.

BEING A LITTLE CONSIDERATE AND CAUTIOUS CAN GO A LONG WAY TO HELP YOU AND OTHERS OVERCOME THIS BEAUTIFUL PHASE. STAY SAFE STAY HEALTHY