Quarantine Times

Spoiler alert: this is not about basketball!

How are you spending your time in quarantine?  This was the topic I decided to take on this past week.  So much has changed in the last month and I know this is tough on all of us.  There is real suffering right now and I don’t’ think anyone is immune from any of it. Whether it’s missing friends and family, feelings of isolation, new work stress, seeing all the sadness in the world, managing uncertainty…ok I just described what I am going through.  It’s out there!

I also believe that this time (assuming good health to all) is a total freaking gift and opportunity: I have learned to practice more gratitude, train my pup (Enzo) and take a ton of walks with him, drink cheap wine (sometimes the good bottles make it out), talk to friends and family (haven’t our conversations and connections become stronger?), make travel plans (kitchen to bedroom), meditate and reflect, catch up on my reading, take on new work challenges, develop my writing skills and channel my energy to this new creative outlet.

I decided to ask a few friends and some family members how they are living in quarantine right now and some best practices to create a conversation that might benefit you.  I hope that you can pick up an idea or two, which will help make this situation we are all in more manageable.

Anil Sehwani (Cousin)

Business owner, obsessed golfer, point guard, family man, karaoke champ (not true), aspiring cook.

I have been trying to keep busy during this pandemic by working from home to manage losses (imagine working to lose).  I have managed to learn how to cook and do some chores around the house.  I am getting pretty good at cooking, which gives meaning to the term a new midlife crisis. I try to end the day with a few drinks for myself and unfortunately, there are no ladies in tables next to us to buy drinks for. I am planning on getting a golf simulator as limited movement might be the new norm, despite telling my kids to stop playing video games.  The wife doesn’t seem to be happy about it and wants me to finally go out and drink with my buddies.  The irony of life.  Just really wish everyone is safe right now.

Becky Feinberg-Galvez (Friend)

Business owner, leader, mother, dog lover, former schoolteacher. Also what she is doing with her company to show support to those in the frontline (https://bit.ly/2XzMSa6) is admirable.

I’ve been making sure to keep my daily routine as much as possible.  I get up and hang with kids. I then workout, either a run or an online video at home six days a week.  The physical activity gives me the energy I need.

Ash Mansukhani (Family friend/former neighbor) 

Business owner and fitness coach, hoops fan, positive energy advocate, father.

We are living in unprecedented times and I am very fortunate to own my business as a personal trainer/fitness coach.  With modern technology, I have been able to stay current and relevant and my clients get to stay healthy and have a sense of community and reinforce that we are all in this together.  My advice is to find an outlet…work out, read a book, take on a new project or learn a hobby. And keep your mind busy and keep your energy at a high level.

Eric Liu (Friend)

Entrepreneur, global citizen, ex trader, and he thinks breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Also, recently founded Shelter in Plates in Chicago (really amazing).

I know that I am probably annoyingly positive in how relentlessly I seek the silver lining in every situation…quarantine is great in a lot of ways.  And like everyone, myself included, there are a lot of things competing for our attention…a skill to learn, someone to spend time with, or a book to read.  As people say, “life happens”. I think I am a creature of habit and as much as I’d like to deliberate about all my decisions in normal circumstances, now, I find myself not choosing myself or my lists.  With quarantine, it is an environment where I suddenly don’t have a lot of those choices: hanging out with friends, going on a vacation, gym time, birthday parties, etc. While I'm sad that those options aren’t on the table anymore and while I want them back, I’m also excited to be given the chance to decide to do other things.  So, I’m studying a language and working on a side project.  I have also reconnected with so many friends who I haven’t talked to in ages…like I said, silver lining!

Arjan Mirchandani (My Dad):

Retired garment manufacturer, Father of 4, believes chips and fries are the 2 best food groups (with ketchup), experienced partition in India, and married to my mom for 60 years(Happy Anniversary!).

It’s been a little hard for us to do anything, but I know that people my age are doing good…yes, because our age group is following the rules.  Now that we are told to keep our distance and stay inside (strict lock down in Manila), we are following it intently.  My theory is that the coronavirus is going to be much easier by staying in…I think us elders are doing good.  My Easter message is to follow the rules.  Most of the elderly like us will be safe because we are obeying what is told to us.

Alex Sabbag (Friend)

Yogi/Warrior, wine consumer, dog lover, aspiring hip hop dancer, creative champion.

I grow fonder and fonder of the quarantine each day. Not the pandemic, let’s be clear. The chaos and loss of human life is absolutely devastating. But often times in disaster we are forced to hit pause, a hard stop, so we can assess.

To me, the timing feels ideal. To restore, to plan, to do all the things we never do because we always claim we simply don’t have enough time. Well now we do, lots of it. We all have the same number of hours in the day and the same level of opportunity. No fomo, no packed calendar (just full of Zoom happy hours). The playing field has been leveled.  Do we take advantage of the opportunity or bury our head in the sand? 

I’m not one to sit around and click my heels until things get better. I’m a doer, and since the beginning of this whole ordeal I’ve been grateful for the quiet mind that results from lack of plans and stoked to dig my heels into my own life, clean things up and prepare for what’s ahead. I don’t have a crystal ball, but I know things will change - that’s the only guarantee we have. I’ve tackled huge organization projects in my home. I’ve gone through old paperwork, photos and documents and assessed whether they’re relevant to keep. I’ve launched new projects under my company and am actively working on my new business. I walk, teach and take yoga, I rest. 

I learned how to be alone and grateful to put those lessons to work. I’m comfortable in my space, happy in my own body and it’s not just recognizing that. No, the real task is when things go back to normal, how can I keep all of this as part of who I am? How can I learn to say no to plans, to know it’s the right thing for me and not feel like I’m missing out? I think we’re in a season of learning what we really need. The distractions and band aids are (mostly) removed. We are forced to simplify. But when I think about it, I am like hell yes can I can get an…AMEN from the choir? Simplicity is the key. We watch people flee from cities to a calmer environment, leave corporate jobs for a more balanced career, take periods away from smart phones and technology.

I am embracing the simplicity of life. I have time to do all the things I love. I’m training myself to know that there is always time to live this way. I don’t - and we don’t - have to succumb to the chaos. That is all a choice. Can we really not look up at the beautiful sky and not see the heaven? Again, I have no crystal ball, but I can almost guarantee we’ll never get another time like this in our lifetime. So, let go of your complaints, get comfortable being alone or being ‘locked down.’ This won’t be forever, but it certainly is a prime time to get our own life together.

While I will absolutely miss the pretty dresses and mimosa bars on Easter (it is my favorite holiday), I am really excited to take the day and rest. Watch Easter service in my cozy outfit with my homemade latte, enjoy a nice brunch with my parents (I’m quarantining with 2 baby boomers… questionable decision), and just restore. 

If you need some ideas – here are a few: go room by room in your home, scrub your baseboards and walls, take everything out of your closet and toss what you haven’t worn in a year. Finish a book, cook, walk daily, even if it is cold, rainy or snowing. If you complete all this, call me, I’ve got more ideas!

Final Thoughts:

We are all in this together. From the answers above, everyone has their own unique way of living in quarantine. There is no right or wrong way to do it, it’s our own unique expression. And I am grateful to be able to get my friends and family share their thoughts, ideas, and best practices (thank you!).

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter assuming you celebrate this holiday.  If you don’t, wishing you good health, comfort, and peace at this time. 

Huge thank you to all those in the front line. And this video I saw on MSNBC is really worth checking out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etGJCEQwHgw