Almost 3 years after Covid shutdown, this virus that challenged humankind and changed everything that we do finally got to me. Oh great, all this right before the holidays. Seemed like the worst time to get it when we had our fun social calendars masterfully booked every single day till holidays. I felt my stress level go up along with the virus load in me. Everything immediately got cancelled and delayed. I quickly packed my essentials and went down to the basement to quarantine. Anxious and worried, I started my quarantine with a mini set up bed, laptop, and a book.
A pleasant surprise
Contrary to my fear, quarantine turned out to be absolutely peaceful. I couldn’t remember the last time I had this much free time by myself. I meditated everyday, took long tub baths, finished reading a book, caught up with work stuffs and all the entertainment news. I thoroughly enjoyed getting colorful drawings that the kids slipped under the door everyday. I was eating healthy diet, thanks to my amazing husband, who made sure I was well fed and nourished while recovering. No dirty dishes, no waking up early, and no crying kids? What is this? I felt like I was at the eye of a storm, given a chance to breathe and relax. Despite all the drama, regrets, and stress, life goes on and it all felt ok.
Rising up to the challenge
Unfortunately, my enjoyment of me time came at the expense of my husband’s. He was already having a tough month in multiple dimensions and had a really bad back pain that wasn’t going away. He was hoping for holidays to arrive sooner and well, I gifted him with my complete absence through Covid quarantine. I was worried for him and for our kids. Will he be able to get kids to school ok? Will the kids be fed and bathed? Will he able to keep up with his work? Turned out that he did a phenomenal job as a single working dad. Did my daughter’s hair looked like she just met a thunderstorm when she went to school? Yes. Did the kids eat take out and delivery food pretty much all the time? Yes. Were the kids late to school? Absolutely a big fat YES. Despite all these, he and the kids survived. I learned through this experience that people, under dire circumstances, rise up to the challenge. Like kids, we are so adaptable. We get into an emergency survival mode, and we end up doing just fine!
Support network
The truth is we get through tough times, not alone, but together. I felt so much love and support from my family and friends during quarantine. I felt incredibly lucky for these amazing people checking on me and my family’s well-being. New friendships blossomed among those who we knew were impacted by Covid at the same event. My dimly lit basement was now covered with countless drawings that the kids gave me. I was determined to get better soon, take better care of myself, so that I can also give back taking care of all my loved ones.
Gratitude
After two full weeks of wearing a mask at home, I am so thankful for each breath I can freely take. I can now give a super tight hugs to my kids and feel safe. Covid quarantine was not how I expected to end 2022, but things could have been much worse. The quarantine gave me a renewed sense of gratitude and energy to laugh, live, and give more. With just a few days left in 2022, I wish everyone the positivity to thrive through whatever challenges that life throws at us. 2023, here we come!
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