Lessons from Quarantine

Everything has a reason, reason causes change, change teaches lesson - Prashanth

It’s been almost seven weeks since the quarantine has started... I have been reflecting on some lessons learned which I would like to share.

Creativity

I guess I am not the only one who got more creative during the quarantine. It is beautiful to see that so many people started to paint, learn new Instruments and many of us cooked like never before.

As I meditated on what I was seeing around me, I realized that no matter in which circumstances we find ourselves, no one can take our creativity away, creativity is our power and that in itself is beautiful!

I got more creative in my writing, cooking, video creation and I also tried out new meditation techniques.

It is fun to be creative, it gets me out of my head and into my heart. I find it truly fulfilling to create something.

If you think you're not creative or you feel you’re having a creative block, check out the book „The artist way“ by Julia Cameron, it’s a guide to unravel creativity.

Everyone is creative in their own way, that means you too!

Gratitude

Thank you for my health, friendships, family, home, food, being safe, having running water, the love and kindness I receive…

There is always something to be grateful for and the more we focus on them, the better we feel.

Many studies have shown the benefits of practicing gratitude to include an improvement in physical and mental health.

My experience during quarantine helped me to take less things for granted. Often we realize the value of something when it is no longer there anymore like good health for example.

Cooking, reading, yoga, writing... it’s the little things in life that bring me joy and leave me happy and fulfilled, especially during lockdown.

Sometimes it feels as if we have all the time in the world. Every day is a gift and we should remind ourselves of that and embrace each day and fill it with love.

My daily gratitude practices are journaling in the morning, I am saying thank you throughout the day and I list things that I am grateful for before I go to bed.

Practicing gratitude helps me to shift my focus from the negative to the positive. TRY IT!

Acceptance

I am used to traveling often and being in a new place almost every week or every month. I am usually thinking, “where should I go next?”

The quarantine ‘locked’ me in one place and I am grateful for it. It gave me the chance to calm down and fully arrive in one place.

Through my job as a model, I was used to running from one place to another and I realized that it had become an unconscious desire of mine to always be in a state of change.

The lockdown helped me to practice acceptance by accepting the “here and now” and making the most out of where I was.

We always have the choice how we respond to the circumstances that we are in, which starts with acceptance; from there, we are able to respond with a better attitude regardless of the situation

Doing good deeds

We are all in it together.

Quarantine is challenging for all of us, some people are more fortunate than others, but still, everybody has their own problems and struggles.

In a time like now, it’s even more important to think of others. Doing kind acts like writing a card or showing someone appreciation can brighten up someone's day.

Instead of further separating ourselves, we can practice seeing one another and learn to work together.

Many people are experiencing an increased feeling of loneliness, which shows that humans need connection. So, let’s connect!

Living a more sustainable life

We can’t change the world until we change ourselves.

The Himalayas are visible from Northern India for the first time since 30 years, Venice’s canals have clearedup, animals have reclaimed land... I think there are many examples that show that the planet is healing through the lockdown.

We can’t just look away and continue living and consuming the way we did before. We have to rethink and redirect our lives in a more sustainable way.

Everything starts with ME: How can I live a more sustainable life? Which small changes can I make in my daily life that don't harm the planet?

Here are some of the things I am trying to do more of: Reducing plastic, taking the bike, walking more often, buying sustainable products, save water. These are just a few examples and there are many more possibilities.

When Shops and restaurants are closed what’s left? Nature.

I think through quarantine people start to reconnect with nature and if we rediscover our connection to nature, we might naturally want to take better care of our planet.

I gave myself the task of getting informed on how to live a more “environmentally friendly life” and then to make one change each day.

During quarantine, we all had more time to reflect and go inward, I hope the lessons and positive changes we learned will stick.

Which lessons did you learnt during the lockdown?