Lockdown discovery: 3 Things I Find Joy In
Taking on the challenge suggested by a writer KeepingItRealWithAnnick. I appreciate her invitation. So, here I am surviving the 42nd day of the lockdown and I can’t believe it has been so long.
I do not know if you are aware, but Spain has the strictest quarantine besides China. I go only once a week outside to buy groceries for two hours. The rest of the week, I am at home with my daughter.
Did you know in Spain kids haven’t been able to leave the house for 6 weeks? The presidents of the autonomous regions and its citizens have started to criticize the government. Thus, today our children are allowed to go outside for one hour as long as they stay within a 1 km radius of the house.
Yes, we all had our upside downs. But I must confess, I am fine at home all day. Day after day. I actually dislike going out even once a week because the streets and alleys, and plazas ( squares) are empty of kids laughing and splashing in the fountains, or people drinking and enjoying sitting at the cafes.
No more flamenco dancers, or guitar guys singing Gypsy Kings in the calles( streets), it is unquestionably very sad picturesque. Yet, at home, I have my luminous and colorful retreat always inviting me to just sit and create.
Three Things I enjoy during these weird times:
- I enjoy spending unlimited time with my daughter. I look at this pandemic as a gift because for the first time in our lives we can spend literally 24/7 together (minus the 2 hours of weekly shopping). We talk, laugh, cook, bake, paint, and write together.
Even we clap each day precisely at 8 pm on our terrace along with the neighbors. My daughter started to help with cleaning as well. I get to help her more with the homework and projects.
We share stories, jokes, and our fears. I even share my success here on Medium. She is very excited about my success and encourages me to write more. I am very grateful because this might be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
2. Creativity. Thanks to the lockdown, I can finally sit and create day-in-day-out. I don’t have to limit how much time I can spend on my writing, cooking, or painting.
Writing is my childhood secret. I always wanted to write because of how much I love reading. After dreaming about “writing someday” for years (I have wanted to become a writer since I was 10), I can do it because I have time and space.
I hope writing will become my habit which I will be unable to live without. Also, I hope it will become a part of me and my life. I am grateful for this slow but creative time.
3. Connecting to my friends and family. You won’t believe but I spend 4 hours every day on the phone with my family and friends. So, I don’t really feel lonely during this time because my phone is always ringing.
My father who lives in Slovakia lives alone; therefore, I speak to him almost every day for at least 2 hours which helps him to cope with the loneliness. To tell you the truth, I enjoy being alone or socializing less.
In a Daily Show with Trevor Noah and he mentions how he is totally fine by himself. Nobody bugs him to go out because it is nice outside. Now he is enjoying the aloneness without the need to always socialize.
That is how I feel. I needed to put life on pause so my soul could start to create, once again.
Even during the pandemic, I am enjoying every moment.
Are you?
Thank you for reading.