Skip to main content

How the pandemic has ruined my social life

Well, everyone knows we have been expected to maintain social distancing to keep ourselves safe from the pandemic. Initially, I was cautious with some level of carefree attitude and let my son play with his best friend. Soon, I realized they were playing with many other kids. After a Covid-19 scare and quarantine, I completely stopped him from playing with friends, and even if he spent 5 minutes with them, he HAD to wear a mask.

Everyone on my floor has allowed kids to play out in the corridor, no masks, no distancing. Birthday parties are being celebrated with 0 masks. All this triggers my anxiety. I take this pandemic extremely seriously after hearing about an unfortunate situation that one of my colleagues went through. He lost both his parents-in-law and had endured two months of trauma with all that was going on in the family and over that an additional financial burden with 20+ lakhs of the hospital bills. Not sure if others have not yet been impacted by the pandemic and are hence very fearless, or they are really not taking this seriously, or they think it will not affect them at all. 

I have 2 senior citizens at home and one toddler. I cannot afford to take the risk. I'd rather bear the challenges with keeping a 6-year-old entertained all the time. It is far better than worrying about risking my family's health all the time. I know we are exposed every time we go out to shop or interact in other ways. I believe in pushing the impact of this pandemic as much as possible and at the same time understanding that we cannot be 100% safe. I have avoided meeting my parents and brother as I want to keep the 2 families away from each other, lest there is any chance of having everyone impacted at the same time. I'll meet them someday. I am okay with missing birthdays and anniversary celebrations as one big family until this pandemic is under control or we know how to remain safe. 

I am blessed to have people who understand my anxiety and sleeplessness because of what's happening around us and why I am insisting on keeping us away from others. It has ruined my social life, however, it has tremendously improved how I value my family. We end up fighting to take up responsibilities at home. We don't have a house help anymore, again to avoid exposure. I enjoy cleaning the house and washing dishes has been taken up by my better half. MIL rushes to wash a few dishes at every instance available.  So that's how we will manage until January. We take small steps from our end to keep the family safe, healthy and engaged. I am not judging others who aren't wearing their masks or allowing their kids to play. They probably find it difficult to manage their kids alone at home. They will have their reasons. Unfortunately, I am sometimes mocked for being over-cautious. I felt offended initially, though now I am used to it. I know that my actions keep me content that I am not participating in what could be a spread of the pandemic at a large scale. I sleep well at night. That is more important than what others think about me. Yes, it affects friendships. Yes, it makes others think I am being a snob and do not trust them. Yes, it makes them not like me anymore. I sleep peacefully at night. That beats anything people think now. Because I know we cannot please everyone and I know impressions keep changing over time. 

                                                    
So mask up! Stay safe and Happy Reading! 


 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The loss of a friend !

My Father-in-law was not the typical FIL who was distant and would not interact with his daughter-in-law. Well, initially he was like that and then he warmed up to my presence and opened up to me. Over the last few years, as we spent a lot of time together, as we were all living in the same home, he became my close friend, mentor, guide and my biggest cheerleader. He was born in Shimoga, grew up in Amrutur with his aunt, started his family in Sagara and eventually retired into Bangalore. 80+ years, he has had the most enviable life. Don't mistake it for a rosy life or a life with no issues or problems! He was one among 11 - 6 boys and 5 girls. He was the 2nd child and as his mother had more children, she needed help raising the kids and so she reached out to her sister in law to take care of him in Amruthur - a farmland. He grew up under the care of his aunt and love from his cousins, who were all girls. He would eat fresh food from the abundance of the farm and also drink milk so...
1 comment
Read more

It's been 5 years !

I still remember not being able to fall asleep on November 7th 2020. I usually crash and sleep almost the instant I decide to call it a day. But that day, I closed my eyes and was tossing and turning and I just could not sleep. It was almost 1 am the next day when I just about started to doze off when I got a call. A call that late into the night from a family member is always dreaded. I now knew why ! I was told that my Amma was not well and we needed to go to see her immediately. 5 minutes after we started, we heard the news that she was no more. The ride took 40 minutes and still felt like a terrible nightmare. Once I reached where she was, we decided to wait for a couple of more hours before informing our family and friends. At 4am, I started making the calls. Reiterating to each one that Amma was no more. It was the toughest to state it out loud like that when no one ever saw it coming. Just 12 hours back we were making plans of what sweets each of us would make for Deepavali. Sh...
3 comments
Read more

My Wheels!

  April, this year, my better half took me to a car showroom and we just ended up booking a car for myself on my birthday. Best gift ever! Though I made the transactions, him making the decision on the car and taking me there was very special. I had not pursued driving at all since I received my DL in 2004! Close to 20 years later, I have suddenly found confidence and the enthusiasm to drive. I learned in Chennai and often would take Appa's car, but it was his office car, so was always scared of any potential damage. Then my husband's car. His parents always used to worry about the tiniest damage on the car and that was excuse enough to not gain confidence in driving his car. So, a year back, I had decided I had to buy one for myself to gain confidence. I am now wondering why I didnt do it any sooner!  I am loving my new wheels and I love how I managed to drive 35 kilometers in just a day yesterday! It's a month since I got my new car and my confidence is high! This was als...
Post a Comment
Read more