Tuesday 16 June 2020

Quarantine The New Normal

It was December 2019 when Covid19 started in China, We started reading about it from January 2020. Till that time we were not thinking that it will become a Pandemic and would change our lives.
Initially, I too thought that it would be controlled and there is nothing much to worry but with the passage of time things changed and whatever happened was not imagined as the wildest dream ever.

The fear, anxiety, uncertainty were enough to make anyone feel low and depressed.
I too felt depressed initially but then understood that "This is the Situation now "
This is "The New Normal " and now we have to mentally prepare ourselves to handle this situation and keep ourselves happy in this tough time.

I would like to thank Mayank for introducing me to this blog train.
Sharing my experiences in this quarantine period.




The thing that affected our day to day life :

1. Controlling kids screen time
Kids stay at home during vacation but suddenly schools getting closed and kids at home with a situation that we can not allow them to go out to play or allow them to visit anyone's house is a difficult task for parents ( especially when you have small kids at home )
To keep them engaged and also to control their screen time was not easy.
Like other moms, I tried my best to do that

* Asked them to help me a bit in daily chores
* Asked them to do some activities like DIY's, Paintings, etc
* Asked them to study Arabic in their free time

Still, it's not easy as they feel bored and want to go out.

2. Absence of  Maid
I know for ones who are staying abroad not having a maid is not a big thing but here in India, we have the facility of getting a maid to help us in daily chores.
When the lockdown was declared I gave a paid leave to my maid like others and now doing everything myself ( Which made me more exhausted than before) Especially during the Summer Vacation time which is meant to relax.
 Initially, this made me too upset but again understanding the situation it's Okay :)

3. Not being able to go out

I never thought that there would be a Time where going out will be so difficult but this happened.
I am missing my Morning Walks ( Something which I am missing badly )
Though I see many are doing during the lockdown period also, I didn't.

Then going out to a Superstore to do basic grocery shopping will be so difficult as one needs to stand in a queue for a long then back home sanitize everything.

Now ordering everything online as that's easier.

4.Visiting Relatives and Friends place

Visiting relatives or friends' houses during weekends was a normal thing but not now.
Especially when we didn't go anywhere this Eid, it looked so bad ( But again this is the New Normal)
Connecting via Whatsapp or Video calls is Okay but once gets tired of spending so much time of net and it cannot give that feeling when you meet someone in person.

5. Tight Financial Situation 
Many have lost their jobs, some are not getting Salary, huge loss to business owners.
This is a tough time for all. People are careful in their expenditure and want to save money.
But think of the ones who are not able to get three meals a day.
So we need to offer and help such who are in need.


These are the normal Challenges which everyone is facing.
It's affecting mental health also as people getting bored, depressed.

But on a bigger scale, I Thank Almighty for all the Blessing we have.

This Pandemic Situation and Quarantine period also taught us many good things :)

1. Value What we have 

Having a house, getting three meals a day, and being with your family is a blessing from Almighty.

News of migrant laborers made us cry.
People dying of hunger, dying while trying to reach their native.
That made all of us realize the importance of what we have.
Importance of food we are getting, the importance of our Jobs, House, Savings.

We are lucky to have all these.

2. Humanity 

We have seen many individuals and organizations, NGO's helping the poor and needy.
Ration kits being distributed to needy ones.
People like Sonu Sood doing a fabulous job of helping migrant laborers to reach their home.

Insaniyat Abhi Zinda hai Khatam nahi hui 

( Humanity is still alive )

3. Evolving as a better person

It's said that trials and challenges make you stronger and it's true.
We have emerged as a better person now :)

* No wastage of food or any other resources.
* Value life and Value all your blessings.
* More considerate towards others.
* No fancy shopping or wasting money on unnecessary things.
* No hue and cry over small things ( there are bigger issues in life )

4. More Health Conscious 

Past two months we all are used to have a home-cooked meal
That's good in many ways :)
We are eating healthy now and many have upgraded their cooking skills :)
( Economical on the pocket too )

We are taking more care of our health to improve our immunity and be healthy.
This is something which was needed badly as because of our hectic lifestyle and habit of eating outside frequently it was missed.


5. Family Members staying together and working together

We have heard and read a concept of  #ShareTheLoad 
but that was not followed in all households.
Thankfully because of this quarantine now it is getting implemented.
Whereas we can see husband's and kids also doing daily chores :)
I could not stop my laughter when I saw many Influencers posting Videos and Pics of their husbands doing household chores on social media especially Instagram :)

At my home now hubby helping me in Kitchen and kids doing baking :)



And there was a mad race of a hectic lifestyle
Now couples do have time to spend with each other.
Parents can spend quality time with their kids :)

Moral Learned :
Stay positive
Take care of yourself and your Near & Dear ones
Help the ones you are able to help especially poor and needy
Pray so that things get normal

Till things get back to normal  Stay at Home and Stay Safe.
When outside use Mask & Sanitizer.


( Image source: Google) 


Hope you all liked this post :)

I am writing this post as a part of  Blog Train initiated by Blogger Ila Verma  to bring the bloggers together to share numerous experiences of #PandemicLockdown2020



Participating Bloggers



I would like to introduce Writer & Blogger Noor Anand Chawla to this blog train.
Do check her blog to read some interesting book reviews and articles.
Noor Anand Chawla 



#PandemicLockdown2020
#StaySafeStayHome  #QuarantineEdition
#Positivityin Lockdown

I hope you all liked this post.
Do share your opinion in the comment section below.

Love
Ghazala



































Thursday 11 June 2020

Share The Load To Bond With Your Loved Ones

Past two and a half months we all are at home because of  Lockdown and this Self Quarantine has changed our lives.
Not being able to go out, not having any outing, and lots of other issues and problems.
Every adverse situation has something to teach us, it makes us stronger and wiser.
Same in this quarantine situation.
All at home ( hubby and kids) and maids are given leaves, so the work pressure and responsibility of Moms & Homemakers have increased many folds.



( Image source: Google ) 


At my home, I gave paid leave to my maid long back when the first lockdown was declared.
Than mentally prepared myself that now I have to do everything. Cleaning, Cooking, Laundry, etc.

These all are time-consuming works which make one exhausted.
But no other option.

Within a week I felt sick and tired.
Then hubby said Lets Divide the work, It's not good that you should everything.
Then he made few rules for kids :)
That they need to help me with daily chores, either cleaning the house or arranging the table for meals, Cleaning & arranging their wardrobes, etc.
Work was divided and I felt happy that now all are behaving responsibly.

Hubby doing his laundry himself.
Then on weekends, he cooks something for the family, either lunch or some sweet dishes.

So this all came as a sweet surprise to me that now all are taking part in daily chores and more important behaving responsibly.
Not leaving everything for Mom or Maid as earlier it was.

In fact, my kids started trying new recipes and they are good at baking now.
They have learned to bake cakes & cookies.

Then gradually they also started preparing their breakfasts.
A simple menu like Bread Omelet or Pancakes are regular at my house now :)



My birthday was in April.
Since this time it was not possible to go out, my kids planned a simple birthday party at home.
They told a day before that Mama tomorrow you won't work, we will do everything :)
Next morning when I woke up was surprised to see that my Son has prepared my breakfast :)
A simple bread omelet ( heart-shaped omelet ) with a note :)



That made me feel so happy and proud.
That now my son can also cook and he is so concerned that Mama should take rest on her birthday and should not work so much as she usually does :)

Later on, my daughters baked a cake for me and presented it to me with a hand made card.
This will be a memorable birthday for me.




Now when I am not well, I am not tensed about daily chores and meals, I know hubby and kids will manage :)
( This is a relaxing thing for a busy mom like me )

My Son even prepares Tea for me :)



Staying together, Working together, Cooking together has helped to have quality family time.
Something which was missing because of our hectic schedules.

Now we are able to spend quality time together.
So this quarantine time has taught us to be more responsible and value all we have.

When the workload is shared by all family members, bonding increases.
So by sharing the load we multiply the love :)

Ariel India had initiated this #ShareTheLoad Campaign long back
wherein male members of the family were asked to share the workload at home.
Helping females in daily chores.
And doing laundry is not rocket science in the era when we have the facility of using a Washing Machine.
Even kids can do it.
I have asked my kids to do their laundry themselves.



One can watch this lovely video from Ariel



#ShareTheLoad
#ShareTheLaundry
#ShareChoresMultiplyLove

My Husband & Son are now sharing my load :)
From them
I will #ShareTheLoad and help in household chores in association with Ariel India and  Blog Adda 


I hope you all liked this post.
Do share your views on this and also tell me your story of sharing the load at your home :)


Love
Ghazala