March 2020.
The world has been shaken with Corona epidemic. Everything has been affected. From businesses to normal life.
As Karachi went into lock down, I have already been in isolation for more than a week as I am writing this. Somehow this isolation, (first week) given me time to pause and reflect and most of the people now forced to do or may be too ignorant and occupied to do.
But for me, this isolation came in the time of need. I am scared as the whole world is. But not from death. Death is a natural course, it will come. When and how, that I don’t know. But I know these pandemics came before our time as well. In the form of viruses, plagues, wars; death have came to those whose time was up and rest survived.
I am scared of how far we have fallen from our natural discourse as a human being. As a part of this whole ecosystem. We breathe we eat we sleep but all in such big costs.
Emotionally and economically, we have fallen in dark.
But with this Corona pandemic, when everything has been frozen in time as it seems. Work, social life, normal routine.
We have been given time to go back to the basics; unlearn and then re-learn what are supposed to be the basics. To be patient, to learn to stay in present, to be grateful for every breath, to have meaningful conversations, to reflect more, to care more collectively, to be watchful of every individual action of self. To think and innovate, to evolve and to exist.
Before Corona
As I was facing some real issues with what I am doing and what I want to do further in my life. As this question was taking its toll over my head, and then some clues were in the air and I was getting signs and signals and meeting same interest- like minded people. World inside my head was shifting and I was on an edge of taking a leap of faith. And then there was a knock on the door. And it was the unexpected visitor and definitely not a likable one, Mr Covid19.
And everything came to a hault.
I know I wanted a break and think it all over but never thought it would come in the form of a total lock down. Well, let’s just say, universe has its own timing and ways of doing things. So it did it. Not just me but every single human on this earth got the break, regardless of whether they want it or not. Universe knew we needed it. To reflect and reset.
When Covid came to visit
Just when the things went really bad, or I should say I fell sick (No not with corona) with flu. Me and my friend decided to take an early morning stroll in the old city.
This city feels best in the early morning hours right after sunrise and in late night hours.
15 March 2020
The alarm went off by 6:30, as I stayed in bed and texted my friend that get ready I will be texting you as soon as the cab arrives. And about 7:30 am in the morning, we were on our way. On to the slightly sleepy roads, waking up to the light of the day.
Since corona nightmare was already in the air, both of us took precautionary safety measures. Long walk with some random old building and street pictures. We stopped for some breakfast and then continued out stroll a bit further and then came back home.
We returned home as happy souls.
Next morning, as I went to work, my cough and congestion became worse and as Corona was upon us, my company sent me home and gave me two weeks leave. I know its scary, this whole pandemic situation but I felt happy and guilty at the same time.
I was really disturbed of feeling happy of being asked to stay home and gotten leave so easily as we are facing an unavoidable circumstance. So I decided to pause and reflect.
My first week was spend mostly doing which gave me some hope and relaxed my mind. I painted, edited pictures from that photo walk day before going in isolation. I stayed in my own flat, all alone. I didn’t even visited my family who lives in the same city and decided to stay in total isolation for the sake of them and my own self. And also for the sake of spending quality alone time with myself.
Guilty I am as I am writing this but I felt restored. I felt me, my dreams, the journey I want to take. It all made sense. And after spending whole week alone, as they announced a total lock down in Karachi. I packed some of my stuff and went to stay with my family.
This is my week 2 in isolation at the moment….. Will share week 2 feelings, stories, challenges soon….
Stay safe who ever you are, where ever you are.
And take this as a chance to reflect and reset.
We all need a reset.
Peace and Prayers.
Hira