My Life in the Pandemic!
A story of what I lost and learned in the last few months.
It is 20th July 2020 today and 132 days since the world health organization (WHO) has declared COVID 19 as a pandemic and ever since then the global economy has been crippling, companies are laying off, cutting cost and some are even filing for bankruptcy. It is expected that the global economy will shrink over -4.9 % in 2020 — the steepest slowdown since WWII.
2020 will be recorded as one of the darkest periods of human history.
The pandemic has changed most aspects of every living human. With Lockdowns, Social Distancing, and Masking as the new way of life, we have all been affected mentally, physically, and in most cases even financially. I have lost two things, dearest, to me — my business and my freedom to travel.
By education, I am an engineer but I have no document that confirms it because I haven’t collected the degree from the university yet. After getting a job in Accenture I bunked two final exams (I cleared them in the final semester) just because I wanted some adventure in my life. Travelling fulfills my craving for adventure. You can call me a hardcore backpacker. Last year I traveled solo for 36 days in northeast India and Bhutan. I believe the best thing someone could gift me is a one-way ticket to Iceland. Yes, you guessed it I wish to see an Aurora.
The love for traveling got me into the industry. I ran an Africa tourism company called Full of Africa. We curated safaris in parks like Masai Mara, Serengeti, Tarangire, and Amboseli, etc. Remember the scene from Lion King when Mufasa saves Simba from wildebeest stampede? Well, that is real. Not the scene but the stampede. It happens during the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti and Masai Mara National Park.
My life was sorted from every aspect, I was making good money, I had no boss, I was selling a service that I love, I was trekking frequently, and most importantly I was happy.
And then….bammm! When the pandemic hit us, the best thing we as individuals could do was Stop Travelling to stop spreading. The governments then imposed lockdown in countries to contain the transmission and overnight the wheels of the travel industry came to halt and overnight I also lost both my business and my freedom to travel. This is how the beautiful dream I was living was shattered.
Well, that day I also realized it’s true what they say “Nothing lasts forever”. Irrespective of what we have all accomplished in our lives so far, no one could even have guessed that we were all riding for a fall.
Depressed by the loss, I started feeling empty and without purpose. I began to doubt my capabilities. I began developing a sense of futility. It was the lowest point of my life. I did have my family to support me but I have always liked to play strong so I never really told anybody what I truly felt. Eventually, a lot of negativity started building up in me and I wanted to channel my emotions and energy to something productive. I badly needed a distraction.
During the second lockdown, a lot of labor class and daily wage workers were stuck without a way back to their homes. In fact, many even started walking back thousands of miles to go back to their villages and live with their loved ones. I found out the cops in my area were running a food drive campaign to all the people stranded and starving of hunger. They were trying to provide three meals a day to 300 people. I had a word with them and found out they didn’t have enough funds to keep it going for a longer period. I wanted to help them so I raised funds among my family and pledged to sponsor 1500 plates. We hired a chef and bought the required materials to prepare the food, We served it to the people with our own hands and watched them feel happy and satisfied. Helping these people made me feel positive finally. I also realized I have not lost much and there is still hope. In a way, I was taking more than I gave them
Few of the locals like me had become a hope to fight the hunger of the underprivileged people. I knew exactly what it is like to lose hope so I told myself no matter what we will not let their hope die. We made it our goal to feed them until the interstate travel restrictions were lifted (3rd May 2020). With a newfound purpose, I reached out to my friends on Instagram and got an overwhelming response to the campaign. More and more people came out to support despite being affected by the pandemic and with their help, we conducted over 30 food drives providing over 9,000 meals. I want all the donors and supporters to know they have not only fought hunger but also helped me get a new perspective on life.
Luckily a few days later I got a job as the head of sales and marketing at Heymojo. Honestly, I didn’t expect I would begin working again this soon due to the impact on economy and layoffs. I guess it is Karma in action. Although life is not as exciting as before. I am doing my best with the cards I have been dealt with. I have also come to terms with the fact that life is going to be like this until a vaccine is found.
To all the folks whose life has been turned upside down by the pandemic, who are suffering from pay cuts, or lost your jobs and business or have been disturbed mentally by the lockdown and other restrictions, or even under debt, I want you to know this too shall pass. Be optimistic because there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t let the negativity consume you. Remember what Dumbledore said? Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.
Stay Home and Stay Safe!
