Home Alone?
This pandemic and the subsequent lockdown has taught a lot of us a lot of things, but some of us a tad bit more.
Some of us, who had to go through these times all by ourselves, came out learning a very special thing- it’s not difficult to live alone, as long as you have people by your side.
Confusing, isn’t it?
So, how does one survive staying all by oneself, without any physical human contact, and still manage to keep one’s (in)sanity intact?
1. Be happy.
Appreciate that you have finally got some time to yourself. More than you could have ever asked for. You can finally get to know the person you have to spend your entire life with- YOU. And this time could be really good for your relationship. After all, haven’t you guys been going through a rough patch lately?
2. Cook.
Tried cooking? Liked it? Good. Explore varieties, cuisines.
Didn’t like it? No problem. Explore varieties, cuisines.
Take it from somebody who has hated cooking her whole life. It’s all about confidence. Once you succeed cooking something that is manageably edible, the journey from edible to palatable is not difficult. And once you get to palatable my friend, there is no looking back.
Once you figure out that the key to all you ever wanted is right there, in your two little hands, self-love follows automatically.
3. Explore.
Anything. Something. Movies, books, Reddit, Insta, YouTube, courses, painting, workout, photography, knit. Anything.
Or not.
4. Just be, and stay alive.
That suffices for now.
5. Go crazy.
Sing out loud. Scream at the top of your lungs. Throw out things. Don’t get up from the bed all day. Binge-watch a show all night.
You don’t have to stick to a routine. You don’t have to wash your dishes every night.
6. Stay connected. Or not.
If you are somebody who likes people, stay connected. Do video calls, audio calls, a lot of calls.
You don’t have to reach out to people you have lost touch with, and rekindle those old friendships. Just call the people you want to talk to. Call your 4 people. Call the same people everyday.
7. Roam around naked in your flat.
Don’t shut your door when you use the loo. Do all those things you wouldn’t do while sharing your space with any other soul around. Embrace your freedom, shed your inhibitions.
8. Drink Alone.
If you are somebody who drinks, some days, try drinking. Alone. Some day, arrange a movie and wine date with yourself. Some day, pour in a drink with lunch, while you work/ attend a call. Some day, have a beer with your brunch, and start the day on a high (wink).
9. Stop reading.
Stop reading the ‘surviving the pandemic alone’ blogs. They give you tonnes of “abysmal” (read in Joey’s voice) advice, that you have always known, and will never use.