Lockdown Diary
Lockdown Day 1 – 25th March
It is the first day of the 21-day lockdown but we have already been home for the past 10 or 12 odd days, so I thought I should write a lockdown diary. Do I miss being outside? Sure. I miss going to work, reading a book while having breakfast at the office canteen, meeting my friend for chai and working with colleagues. But going to work seems to be something from the distant past. The truth for today and the next few days is to be cooped up at home, work from home. Well, if that’s what it takes, then I’m game.
With there being no need to go out for work or send M to school or daycare, I don’t have to wake up at the crack of dawn anymore. I woke up at about 8 today and brushed my teeth before making my cup of tea. I didn’t rush to cook breakfast and lunch before taking time to brush which is what happened every day when the school, daycare and office were open. I even managed to have my tea while it was still hot. So, that was something.
It being a holiday today, I went about things at an even more leisurely pace. Cooked matar paneer with aloo for both lunch and dinner and made leftover aloo stuffing sandwich for breakfast. Cleaning the house was also done without there being any urgency. Watched some Seinfield and Hunters, finished a book and even attended two live 25 minute sessions of dance fitness.
S went out to the neighbourhood grocery store to get some basics. So, that was a relief. All in all, it was an uneventful day, something we all need right now.
I’m typing this now lying in bed while S and M play some games together. It’s not so bad but somewhere at the back of my mind is the fear of whether and when this pandemic will be fully controlled and how will it impact our jobs and economy. I mean in all our wildest dreams, we never thought to plan for the after-effects of a pandemic of this or any scale, right?
Well, that’s all for day 1, I guess.
Lockdown Day 2 – 26th March
It’s day 2 of the 21-day lockdown and I’m feeling low. Not too much but certainly feeling sad about the situation we find ourselves in. Yes, I know we must be grateful that we have a home and food on the table but sometimes the heart just doesn’t listen, does it?
I’m particularly feeling outraged at China because let’s be clear about one thing, it is their need to hide which has brought the world to this. And the ripple effect will continue for a long time to now. So, that is causing me a lot of anxiety. Anyway.
I’m not someone who likes to go out much but I do like to have the option. I like going to work. It is something that I look forward to. Even though while outside I’m mostly busy with work or reading alone in my beautiful office campus but I like to have that chance. Since I don’t see this lockdown ending anytime soon, I miss those things today. How we took those for granted!
On the other hand, though, the house looks cleaner. I guess when you are the maid of your own house, you put in all your heart to cleaning it.
There were some tense moments concerning essentials for 21 days yesterday which seems to have been sorted now. Well, let’s just say, we won’t starve but it’s just day 2 of the lockdown so we’ll see how that goes.
Once this is all over, I’m going to order a lot of food every single day because the cooking is getting too much. I mean, I don’t mind cooking on weekends but every single day is just too much. But I did make naan today. Who knows this lockdown will end up making me a food blogger! Nah! Unlikely.
Lockdown Day 3 – 27th March
It’s Day 3 of the 21-day lockdown and I woke up with a very strange feeling. I dreamt about something and in that the world was as it always was, normal and there was no pandemic around. But then I sort of realised in the dream itself that the world today is not that. We are all locked in because that is the best course of action now, there being no alternative.
I feel very entitled to even think that my feelings are valid. I wonder what the parents in Syria living in fear of their and their children’s lives would have to say to me. So, perhaps, I shouldn’t complain. I have a home, a family and for now, I have food for my family. At least, I have some form of security.
But this endless tunnel is making me nauseous subconsciously. I’m aware of my privilege but that doesn’t necessarily help with it. I wonder if I’m the only one to feel so.
It’s just Friday and there are so many more days of this lockdown to go. I mean 21 days is just to start with. I don’t think 2020 will be anything but a huge pile of lockdown musings in my lockdown diary. When I grow old, this is something I’ll look back to definitely. What did I do in those months cooped up at home?
But then if that’s what it takes, I’m willing to stay in. Are you?
Also, tell me about your lockdown diary. I’d love to hear.