Happy Birthday My Dear Friend

Dear Diary…

So, it has been infinite days of lockdown. We all are struggling hard to stay in. Never felt that silly walks on roads, coffee with a friend, and work with the colleagues or a mere sense of going out has been taken for granted by me for so long.

Now I am at home blessed to have shelter, food, running water and electricity at these trying times. But, believe me, it is challenging to keep my mental state intact. It is difficult to feel happiness and positivity when we are surrounded by fear and uncertainty.

It is a difficult time for people with health issues, but it is more taxing for those who have mental health issues. People are having bouts of anxiety, a normal person is feeling lonely or depressed, sadness has engulfed many people, and I think it is a bigger virus than Corona itself.

Amid all these people are trying to make things light and happy by creating happy content, having fun challenges and giving ideas to survive this. It is so good to see people building each other up and coming together to make the environment a positive one.

Now, I love that people are trying to get in touch with old friends, trying to have fun with family, learning and growing at this time, but the issue started when I read a tweet which said ‘if you don’t come out as an improved person after this pandemic is over, you were better inside.’

Okay, so yes; people might have a different perspective on life, health, and materialistic things. But it is not a competition to beat; Is it?

Some people are happy exercising, some are singing, some are taking time out for hobbies they kept aside while running in the race of life…. but some are napping, eating and just chilling not because they can’t do any of the above, but have no willingness or emotional strength to do so. Some people might be so exhausted by taking care of the family, work and daily chores that they are not getting time to be creative, artistic or health freaks.

So, now we are burdened with asking questions about our efforts, are crushed with unseen expectations of society or we feel unaccomplished taking a toll on our mental and physical being.

I am happy to see so many people around me grow, but have also heard my friends cry over a phone call feeling low or less than everybody.

So, how to create a balance?

Simple;

• appreciate people telling you about their mundane life, 
• accept that it is challenging to survive in this crucial time and 
• above all be accommodating to people with different thoughts and struggles.

Be happy to see your friend try a new dish or a makeover. Enjoy when people share that they have cleaned their desks or wardrobe in ages. Appreciate people sharing old memories or video chat screenshots. But be wary that you have your own 24 hours and you are the one to decide what to do with it. It is your life, to begin with,… take inspiration but do not underestimate your efforts.

The struggles are real and the situation is grave, but the only way to survive it is by being YOU. 

Be happy that we are blessed to have a protected environment, be happy to know you can do whatever you want without worrying about things to come and above all remember we are all in this together so judge no one.

Dear diary, I just wish that we may all be healthy and safe at the end of this. I wish that people achieve mental peace by doing whatever they do.

I pray that when I next pen down my thoughts on paper; it is full of positive and happy news. :)

“We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.” 

― Anne Frank