Love in the time of Corona — Part I

‘Love is a mutating virus; you can’t understand it at any age’ said Akhtar Baig in Taj Mahal 1989 (A Netflix Original). Yet, I can’t help but wonder if ‘love’ is the most primitive and raw feeling to a human being? If you think about it, all our emotions: anger, sadness or grief are a byproduct of love. You don’t get angry at someone you barely know or care about.

Love has existed even through some distraught times on Earth, right from the Ice Age to the world wars. Despite this, love has been in the air for eons. Whenever Earth lost its hope for survival, love held its hand and stood tall. When all logic and facts failed, love pointed towards the light at the end of the tunnel.

Today, as we face this global pandemic called the ‘Coronavirus’, love, yet again, will survive this crisis and also help us save the day. The love that I am talking about exists in the form of self-love, and love for humanity at large. This love will help us survive this global crisis.

Fighting our social instincts with love

We are locked in our houses, socially distancing ourselves, and supporting our heroes who are fighting this pandemic. While self-quarantine is mandatory, it is not all hunky-dory to stay inside all day. Humans are incredibly social beings and thus, staying confined within four or even eight walls, with all the amenities and technology, can be quite tricky.

You might feel overwhelmed and anxious. It can affect your physical and mental health. Let’s just agree; it will drive you insane after a while. To add to the anxiety, there are constant news updates that are not pointing towards an early end of this self-quarantine.

Despite the catastrophe, we, at The Wise Idiot, have not lost hope. We believe that a little self-love and mindfulness can help us come out of this self-quarantine, happy and healthy. Here are some ways to retain your sanity:

Good food equals good mood

One of the best ways of self-love is to nourish yourself. While you’re busy living your life, you seldom stop and think about the quality of food that you consume. Now that you are at home, sit back and think about improving your diet. Include healthy greens and cereals. Make a smoothie or the good ol’ dal-chawal. By the time this quarantine ends, you may turn into the famous Nigella Lawson.

Get positive

No, not for the coronavirus. Being positive doesn’t just include thinking positively but also attracting positivity tangibly. Media everywhere is filled with negative news about the pandemic. Get your dose of positivity by taking a book and writing down five things you are grateful for each day. Look in the mirror and give yourself a pep talk. Go all ‘SRK 70 minute’ from ‘Chak De India’ if you have to. It may sound silly, but it will help.

Let’s Nacho!

Dance your worries away. Plugin your favorite song and dance by yourself, all guns blazing! You can even organize a dance show along with your quarantine mates. You could also have nachos if you’d like.

Love your skin

When you are out, you are exposed to the sun, dirt, and pollution. At home, all that is away. Set a skincare routine and follow it. Make yourself a DIY mask and relax. Paint your toenails or assemble a nail spa. Go bananas! On a side note, a banana face mask is a miracle for your skin.

Clean everything, not just your hands

Now that your maid isn’t home, start by cleaning your closet, or your shelves or even your long-ignored ceiling fan. Staying in a clean and organized place makes the mind happy. After the external cleaning, do some internal cleansing. Have a beverage, write down those bad habits that you want to get rid of. With time on your hands, think about how you can break those habits.

Pyaar ka Izhar! (Express your love)

Get in touch with that old friend from college you didn’t have the time to call. Catch up on some family gossip with your mom. Write emails to your friends and relatives, tell them you love them. Sit together, and video call your people in another country, city or even neighborhood. Make cards for people around you. Write love letters to yourself! Proclaim your love for yourself.

Mind the mind

With all the harsh and fake news making its way to you, this wouldn’t be a wrong time to start practicing some mindfulness. Mindfulness is being aware of what is going on around you, and not going overboard and getting anxious. Practice some easy mediation techniques. Mindfulness and meditation are significant steps toward self-love. You want to make it a habit beyond this crisis.

We are all in this together

Ken Grimwood said, “isolation can be shared”. Wear your best clothes and makeup and organize a runway show or a talent showcase with your family. Play board games, or the family favorite game of all time — Antakshari. Go through your childhood album or watch movies. Nothing builds hope and love in a time of crisis than unity. Love your magic beans just like Rachel Green.

The Silver lining

Maybe, just maybe, you can look at all this as a blessing in disguise. If you notice, staying in hasn’t changed many things. You are still working or trying to study, chatting with your friends, Netflix and chilling. This might also turn out to be the much-needed break that you didn’t know you wanted. This self-quarantine might help us realize the concept of less social or minimal (in terms of socializing) living and give us a glimpse of the lives of introverts.

The pandemic will end sooner or later, and we will get out of our houses. The Wise Idiot urges you to keep the love alive and floating in the air, stay in and stay healthy. Soon, love will trump the Coronavirus.

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Originally published at https://thewiseidiot.in on March 24, 2020.