Summary

Gurpreet Dhariwal reflects on personal experiences and societal issues during lockdown, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery, discipline, and empathy.

Abstract

The web content presents a Q&A with Gurpreet Dhariwal, who shares her lockdown experiences, highlighting the simplicity of life's pleasures, such as the joy of listening to birds and the comfort of solitude. She expresses concern for those suffering from hunger amidst the pandemic and advocates for self-reliance and spirituality to cope with the situation. Dhariwal, who has lived a relatively isolated life for years, finds the lockdown to be an extension of her usual lifestyle. She credits Medium for providing solace and healing through reading and writing. Her message to others is to embrace household chores, seek spiritual solace, and maintain unity during these challenging times. Dhariwal also calls for societal change, urging people to treat each other with kindness and to refrain from spreading misinformation or engaging in discriminatory practices.

Opinions

Dhariwal values the tranquility of morning birdsong and personal solitude amidst the lockdown.
She is deeply concerned about the plight of the hungry and the societal impact of the pandemic beyond the virus itself.
Dhariwal appreciates the opportunity to focus on writing and personal discipline during this period.
She believes in the power of community support and spirituality to combat depression and boredom.
Dhariwal criticizes the mistreatment of healthcare workers and the spread of misinformation during the crisis.
She emphasizes personal responsibility and the need for genuine compassion over performative altruism.
Dhariwal sees the lockdown as a continuation of her existing lifestyle rather than a significant change.
She encourages people to engage in self-reflection and to use this time for personal growth and healing.
Her advice for the future includes stopping harmful behaviors and focusing on collective well-being and respect for healthcare professionals.

Q&A: Making Sense of Lockdown

I am worried about people who are dying because of hunger than corona on the street.

What have you missed the most whilst in lockdown?

Running.

2. What’s the best thing about being in lockdown?

Listening to birds chirping in the morning.

3. What has been the worst thing about being in lockdown?

Unable to go to the park for running.

4. Who would you have liked to host in your home during the lockdown and why?

I would like to invite Keno Ogbo. For your passion for Zumba. We would have danced together.

5. What is one good thing you have discovered about yourself in lockdown?

I can be all on my own and very comfortable in my skin like always.

6. What did you eat (or drink) the most during a lockdown?

Surviving on water and home-cooked food.

7. Apart from sleeping and working what are you doing the most during a lockdown?

I have become very disciplined. I am writing every day so lockdown is a blessing for me.

8. Will you come out of lockdown heavier or lighter?

Lighter.

9. What resource has helped you most during the lockdown?

Medium has changed my life in a very pleasant manner. I come here to read you all and it heals me at the places even I didn’t know demanded healing.

10. What is your top tip for other people in lockdown right now?

For all those who are getting bored please start doing your household chores. For all those who are in depression please start praying from the soul. For all those who are still seeking peace in others, well then only god can save you.

11. How has lockdown changed you; Will you be a changed person afterward?

I have been living this quarantined life for a good 3 years so I don’t see lockdown has changed me. It’s like another part of life. I am worried about people who are dying because of hunger than corona on the street.

12. If you were to leave a ‘message in a bottle’ for the future, what would you say?

Stop pushing each other while buying groceries, stop hitting doctors and nurses, stop asking doctors and nurses to vacate their rented apartments, stop treating people in the name of religion, stop exaggerating about yourself on social media that you paid in advance to your maid when you are not earning, stop supporting the government when the government did nothing for this emergency. Stop losing your friends over some politicians and stop this bullshit of saying I am there for you. God is there for us. Humans cannot replace god ever.

I hope you all rejoice my responses.

Gurpreet Dhariwal is the author of “My Soul Rants: Poems of a Born Spectator.” Her eBook is now available at Google PlayStore, Amazon, and Kindle. Connect with Gurpreet on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or Youtube