6 Lockdown Losses

No matter how desperately I try to stay afloat, seeing no end to this pandemic is beginning to weigh me down. The strong facade that I have managed to display is beginning to show some wear and tear. There is no denying that for each of us this pandemic experience has been different based on our pre-pandemic disposition, and so for some of us it has hit us harder.
I belong to the harder-hit category. My losses are stacking, gains slacking. And here are 6 things I have lost so far in this lockdown:
Table of Contents: 6 Lockdown Losses
1. Finding shoulders to lean on:

I admit it was never easy to reach out for help even before the lockdown days, but the social distancing has significantly upped the level of difficulty. Earlier I used to have people around me and they would check in on me when they saw me aloof or distracted. Our facial expressions, our body language, the way we carry ourselves – all these are non-verbal cues we communicate with. However, these days it has become difficult to find comfort without explicitly asking for it, and I am not the asking-type.
2. Human touch:

When our hands – our basic tactile device, could turn into the most efficient virus-carrier, physical touch has become a big No-No. Simple yet meaningful human touch with or without any accompanying words is forbidden – a pat on the back along with the words “Well-done”, a reassuring hand on the shoulder along with the words “Everything will be alright”, holding hands with the words “I am here for you”. The plain words just don’t have the same impact without the human touch.
3. Getting some fresh air vs infected air:

I used to go for a walk or rather force myself to take a walk around my place – and the act of getting some fresh air. Actually, it was the only form of exercise I could bring myself to do, and now I can’t even do that. Although the air quality has definitely improved globally, I wouldn’t dare go out to enjoy the fresher air and risk bringing the virus home. My only way of working out has vanished into thin air.
4. Personal hygiene:

Before the quarantine era, my biggest motivator for a shower was the sweat. Now being confined to my house, the only legwork I can afford is to the kitchen and back with zero probability of sweat. You can do the math! Brushing teeth has gone down to once a day, shaving has gone down to once in never, hair care is about the possibility of growing dreadlocks… Hence, in terms of personal hygiene, except for handwashing everything else has become redundant.
5. Interests:

I have never been the athletic type so my pre-pandemic interests revolved around computer/ mobile screens (if you know what I mean). With the social distancing and quarantine, the first few weeks were like a blessing because then I could indulge in my interests without feeling like I had wasted my time. However, I have lost interest in the games now, maybe because it felt like work. There’s hardly anything that interests me anymore.
6. Fear and stress:

Assignments, deadlines, presentations, and other work-related things were scary and stressful. All I wanted then was to be able to run away from the white-collar mundane madness. Fortunately, those fears and work stress have dissipated. Unfortunately, other forms of fears and stresses have sprouted. The pandemic stress, financial stress, fear of contagion, fear of going to public places… I have lost some fear and stress only to gain more in different forms.
Some losses are inevitable, some losses avoidable. Because of the looming crisis we are all in, we all have had to bear losses in some way or the other. Whatever the reason, whatever the cause; losing is disappointing. And at the risk of sounding rather depressing, I urge you to count your losses and speak about it. After all isn’t it better to air it out than keep it in?
Lockdown has been an adjustment, that’s for sure. I’m desperately missing my old life.
Couldn’t wait for the day when we no longer have to adjust. 🙂
Hoping that things start to get back to normal for all of us sooner than later. This has affected so many many people especially mentally.
Till then let’s take care of our physical and equally important mental health.
I live by myself, so nothing really has changed. I still brush a lot or I will make my dentist mad.
That’s great, personal hygiene should never be compromised at any cost 😛
yep, we are all losing a lot because of the lockdown but I am trying to focus on the positives as much as possible, I am so happy we’re healthy.
That’s what we are all supposed to do; focus on the good part.
This pandemic changed a lot of things in our everyday life! And it also teaches us a lessons.
Hopefully we never forget what this pandemic has taught us. To be grateful to even the small things in life, spending wisely, taking care of the environment as much as we care about our family members are some of them that I have learned.
very true… totally agree with your ideas… we have lost so many things in this lockdown but the great part of this is we are still alive and living a better life…we should be grateful for that
That’s true 🙂
I really didn’t think lockdown would be a huge problem for me because I’m a big homebody. But after having a vacation and concert cancelled as well as missing restaurants, my hair stylist, and movie theaters I think I’m changing my tune.
We are missing out on lots of things. I hope this shall pass away soon.
Sometimes I feel like the human spirit has taken a bigger hit than anything through all of this. We were made for all of the things that are being forbidden right now.
I do hope you find a way to get back to some of these things so your spirit and health can be refreshed.
Thank you so much. I hope the same.
Great post with some of the key issues all of us going through in this or that way. Finding resources and making them part of our lives is one of the best keys to relief of anxiety and more calmness.
We all should pay enough attention to our mental health during this difficult pandemic situation.
One of our family’s problems is getting fresh air, since parks in our country are closed 🙁 I know it’s for the best though.
We can get some fresh air on the balcony or maybe on the terrace. It won’t be the same as walking out, but it will be better than the 4 walled room.
Taking a walk makes a world of difference for myself!
Let’s make walking in our apartment a new normal for the time being.
Yup you are right, being positive in this new normal is difficult that’s the fact. But we have to be strong in facing the reality of life. This too will pass.
This will surely pass. Till then, let’s stay calm and positive.
This has been so hard on so many of us, from missing smallest of things like fresh air to some major stress be it financial or being away from a loved one.
This is a tough time for each and everyone all around this world. Hopefully this might end real soon.
The virus is not airborne and can not be transferred through air unless someone sneezes or coughs in your proximity there is no reason to fear going out 🙂
We have no idea about who is infected and who isn’t. It might be our neighbor with whom we hang around, who is infected, or the shopkeeper from whom we buy all our groceries. So, if we are staying at home, we are not only saving ourselves but others too. This is why we should fear going out. Please stay home.
I totally agree, This lock down has been a tough one. Thank you for sharing your thoughts
You’re welcome 🙂