Learnings from the Covid-19 Lockdown

When the COVID-19 lockdown began, we were at our home in Pune. Like everyone else, we were suddenly stuck indoors, unsure of how long it would last. At first, it felt strange and uncertain, but soon we saw it as a chance to try new things and make the most of the time we had.

Since there was no house help, we had to manage everything on our own. Tried new things for the first time - shaving my head at home for the first time in my life, learning how to mop the floor, wash dishes, and take care of everyday chores. It made me appreciate all the work that goes into keeping a home running smoothly.

A self-haircut

 I used the time to learn something new and finally completed my master’s degree in Data Science, which had been on my mind for a while. In 2021, I made the big decision to switch jobs. It wasn’t easy to do that during such uncertain times, but it turned out to be a good move. At work, our team actually became more productive while working from home. It was surprising to see how well we could adapt and still stay focused. We also used this time to upgrade to our new house. Making small changes here and there made it feel more comfortable and welcoming. One of the biggest blessings was getting to spend more time with our kids. We played games, cooked together, shared more meals, and simply enjoyed each other’s company in a way we hadn’t in years. We tried out new recipes and found small joys in cooking and eating together.

But it wasn’t all easy or fun. We lost a few relatives and colleagues to the virus, which was heartbreaking. There was always a fear of falling sick, and the news only added to the stress. The stock market kept going down, getting a vaccine slot on the CoWin website was frustrating, and at one point, both Priya and I got COVID. The days in quarantine felt long and isolating—almost like being in jail. It was emotionally draining, and the fear of what could happen was always there.

Still, all of this taught us some important lessons. We learned to be stronger, to stay calm in difficult moments, and to keep smiling even when things felt heavy. We understood that even the darkest times do come to an end—and after every tunnel, there is always some light.

Looking back, the lockdown changed us in many ways. It was full of challenges, but also full of growth. We tried new things, discovered new parts of ourselves, and most importantly, we came out of it stronger and closer as a family.