Misba Khan
Coronavirus, Covid-19, lockdown, quarantine – how many times have you heard these previously unheard of terms in the past 2 months? Surely, more times than any of us can count. Whichever social media one opens, be it Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, or even Google, it’s very evident that our lives have been overrun by this current worldwide crisis which has the entire world at a standstill. It seems to be the only conversation that’s on anyone’s lips at the moment.
It’s not all bad though, I can’t deny that. The memes and videos to have come out of this are hilarious. Probably the first time in history when humanity fights off a pandemic by making jokes on it. A wave of what’s being termed as ‘Ramaphoria’ seems to have overtaken South African hearts where we are finally appreciating the hard work and cuteness of our Mr. President as our government works hard to minimize the effects of the threat that we face.
How does it affect me? A 22-year-old architectural graduate, ready to enter the world of work, but instead, like many of you, I sit at home waiting for this apocalyptic tide to pass -unemployed, still quite privileged and mostly bored. Not stressed, not too sad, not anxious, just bored. How many times have I went through lists’ of shows on Netflix, ultimately giving up after finding nothing which would spark my interest for longer than 5 minutes. I’ve cycled through the three social media apps on my phone which I use daily (Twitter, WhatsApp, and TikTok) at least four times now and it’s only 1 pm. Still bored!!
Well, yes, I have a few ideas on how to make the most of my time indoors. I plan to dedicate more time to some of my dormant hobbies such as drawing, painting, writing, and reading. Whether I’ll actually get down to any of these, only time will tell (I’m a natural-born procrastinator). Also, to make sure that I maintain my physical fitness and not let myself go too much while binge eating at home. I’m sure that many of you can relate to my dilemma.
If you were to ask me last year as to what I’d be doing in 2020, I would have probably replied with a tongue-in-cheek answer saying that I’d finally be free from the worries of campus, living my life to the fullest. In all honestly though, I wanted to find a stable job this year, get my driving license (finally) and perhaps travel a bit. Well, instead I stay at home, doing my part as a responsible citizen of this country (or at least that’s what I tell of myself) by simply staying home. Bored. So very bored!
Truth is, being bored is a privilege, one that I’m sure many of us are taking at least somewhat for granted at the moment (or at least I am for sure). Especially when one stays at home, in sound health with a good stock of snacks and a few distractions to keep one occupied along with two brothers to argue with, an eccentric mom to boss me around during Ramadhan preps and a fat cat for company.
Yes, there are a few matters which do make me sad. My graduation ceremony, which my friends and I were quite euphoric for seems to have been cancelled (or postponed, I’m not too sure). I’m also quite sure that most companies are not looking to hire anyone at the moment. I dread to think what the state of the economy and world of work would be like once all of this passes by. I wonder how long it would take me to actually find a decent job. The effects on the lockdown on the economy would be felt by one and all. And yet, my worries are not that great.
One wonders how this lockdown is affecting those that need to work on a day-to-day basis for their daily income. Or perhaps the people who live alone or in apartments with a lack of outdoor space? What about the doctors who are selflessly on the line of duty and their families alike? And then there’s those who suffer from mental health issues such as depression or anxiety and rely on going out daily as an essential distraction. And then there are people that still have to get up and go to work as essential workers for society to still function. Many of these people are often overlooked and even looked down upon. Just take a moment to appreciate all their efforts. So yes, me being bored as my main concern is a privilege.
Yes, I believe this dark phase in history and life will return to normal eventually. However, the costs of this would be difficult to pay for many. I daresay, it would take longer than what most of us are prepared to bargain for. But eventually, and surely, it will. Until then, if you are like me, bored and at home with little to worry about, let’s acknowledge our blessings and remain responsible citizens.
Featured image: Misba Khan.
