We are currently experiencing something that will at some point be a history lesson in schools. Our daily life has shifted from the routine of a busy bee to the routine of a child that was grounded because he got a bad grade. We’re staying in, we’re working from home, we’re listening to lectures and taking online exams from home and to some, this is not exactly an easy adjustment.
As lawyers or law students, such as my case, it’s a very difficult adjustment. We are used to busy schedules, meetings, rushing through traffic to make it in time to courts… but most importantly, we are used to working with people everyday and I personally believe that’s what I’ve been missing most in this quarantine period: human contact.
However, to every downside, there is always an upside. To every bad thing, there is always a little bit of good that can come out of it. We now have, more than ever, all the time in the world to reflect, to breathe and reboot.
”But this is not the right time to make a change”, some might say. Is there ever a right time for a change? Who gets to say when we can make a change or when we’re ready for a change?
Whether we realise it or not, we are the only designers of our lives: we get to choose what to do, when to do it and definitely how to do it.
Even though we don’t realise this yet, this quarantine, just like every other thing in the world, including ourselves, will pass over time, but we won’t remain the same when all of this is over. And, frankly, that’s not such a bad thing. So, here’s a piece of advice on how to address this whole quaratine situation and still remain sane when it’s over:
- Do not focus on all the things that you can’t do
Did you ever notice that, if you’re experiencing back pain, the more you think about it, the more it hurts? All the meetings that we can’t attend, all the places we can’t visit, all the coffees that we can’t drink with our friends in a beautiful place, all the sunsets we can’t see from a restaurant’s window… the more we think about it, the more it hurts. The more we think about it, the more it frustrates us, stealing away all the time that we can invest in thinking about what this quaratine time can offer – the possibility to stay safe at home (and work in pyjamas) and to spend more time with our loved ones (if we’re lucky to be quaratined together).
- Make sure to eat right and drink plenty of water
The fact that we’re staying home and we’re not as active as we used to be, added to the fact that some of us might not be getting the usual, much-needed fresh air and sunlight, deprives our body of the vitamins that it needs and our minds of the comfort that fresh air brings. If you can, try to spend atleast 10-15 minutes outside each day, even if it’s just in front of your house/apartment to relax your mind and give it the comfort that it needs.
- Do not deprive yourself of sleep
We need our sleep now more than ever. Sleep and rest play a vital role in good health and well-being throughout your life. This is definitely the time to catch up on some sleep.
- For those who will be working remotely, create a schedule for yourself
Develop a disciplined way of managing your day. A great level of discipline is required in order to effectively manage your time and be productive.
I was convinced that I would have a whole lot of free time on my hands, but that has not been the case. On the contrary! Turn out that even while working from home, you can still find yourself with a stuffed schedule.
- Indulge
Yes, read that book. Binge on your favourite series. Indulge in your favourite foods and snacks. This is a pandemic after all.. But try to not lose perspective over your goals, whether they are body goals, mind goals or career goals. Make sure that all the staying home will not result in you losing sight of your future, your health and your dreams.
Any situation that life throws at us, even a global pandemic, is an opportunity for us to get to know ourselves better, the current situation definitely takes us out of our comfort and everyone is allowed to react differently. So whether you are using this time to rest, pray, work, learn new skills or just get through..its okay.
When this is all over, the upside to this global downside will be the fact that we will have learnt how to work with whatever life throws at us.
I leave you with is famous quote, ”when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade”. and if life were to give me lemons right now, I’d squeeze them in its eyes and then wash my hands thoroughly, lol!
This article was written and submitted by Noemi Cădariu. Noemi is a goal-oriented and vibrant final year law student from Romania. She is also a contributor for For Women in Law.