You can miss nice things from an awful time- A blogpost about community spirit in New York City during the lockdown was talking about how it’s okay to feel like you will miss some things from these difficult times when this is all over. Like, being able to wake up without an alarm, binge-watching a new tv show, having more time to practice your hobbies, etc.
It resonated with me.
During these times of uncertainty, I have made it a goal to help people slow down and take the world in. Every day. Breathe.. Watch the sunset. Follow a cloud trail floating past the moon. Observe how leaves dance in the wind. Cherish the sounds of birds chirping. Notice new bird sounds. Admire old couples taking a quiet stroll in the night for some fresh air. Reflect on how you feel about your current connections with people. Mend, restore, and strengthen the connections you want to keep. Let go of heavy ones that drain you, but gracefully.
If you feel like spreading love.. write letters. Lots of them. Tell people you love them. Make poems, make art, make visual hugs.
These things are doable even during our regular life routines. And when this is all over, if someone misses being able to experience these things vicariously through what I share, I hope that it inspires them to slow down, breathe, and notice more.
By Anam Fatima,
Karachi, Pakistan.