Press Pause: Why it is okay to relax!

Consider this to be a reminder of some sort.

During this lockdown all of us in some or the other way have experienced a lot of things, been through situations we never thought we would be in, had to make tough decisions when it came to work, relationships and even social life, or maybe they are all just at the right happy place. All this while still being trapped at home!

While it seems like everyone else is only telling you to be active, productive, and all those things to live through this quarantine and survive this pandemic, I'll say something else. Something that might seem less stressful.

Just relax. I am well aware of the fact that this could end up being a piece of advice that is just too cliche for you but I honestly am not here to give you any advice. I am just letting you know that it is okay to stop.

It is okay in this quarantine to not have any clarity about what the future holds. You don't have to constantly keep doing things to survive. You don't have to be responsible for every single moment.

People around you are doing things, making the best out of this time but perhaps your best is in a pause that you have been desperately wishing to have, and all I am saying is to go for it. There is no rush, this time will pass, you'll figure out things on your own time and when that time comes you will be back in action.

There is also a need during such times to have opinions on everything. Political, social, just anything. People seem to be anxiously awaiting the statements of others to know what they themselves exactly feel about a certain situation and base their thoughts accordingly.

You should too have an opinion, but if you don't feel like having one don't be guilty. Don't pressurize yourself into believing that everyone is living a certain way so should you. Give yourself some time.

For 4 months some have been resting, some have been working and some are still in the middle of nowhere surrounded by different people and their worlds via the internet.

A switching off is not unhealthy. Infact it will only bring back a stronger self. I literally switched off my phone for 3 days (100% recommended by the way) having no idea of what is happening, who posted what, who is living, dying nothing. I gave the chaotic world in my head a rest. I was writing, reading, and painting or singing. Appreciating a nice warm cup of tea sitting by the gallery as the sky turned into mesmerizing shades of blue and pink.

Not that I did not have tea before that. Just maybe I wasn't appreciating it as much. Before I was not reading the authors note in a novel. Now I was. Never was I not looking at how my dad made our special spicy chicken curry, now I was. Seeing, listening, analyzing information that I have been gathering for the longest time.

There was peace in this silence which I otherwise had not experienced because of the chaotic world online.

But obviously you cannot live offline forever. That is the harsh reality. We are the generation that has seen digitalization of almost everything and that means all of us are online. Our jobs, our friendships, our people, our lives. They are all online and we are constantly thriving so as to give ourselves a brighter future. Which is why this pause is essential. Because ahead of you is a time that is only fast-paced. You are a part of it but what genuinely matters is how mentally prepared are you to be a part of the same.

Which is why, now more than ever, it is okay to pause!️