Nine Life Skills I Learned in the Pandemic
As we begin a new year, there is a lot of thought on all we have lost in the last two years, but I would like to take a minute to think about the many life skills I learned in the pandemic.
How to make the perfect bullseye
That’s just a euphemism for learning to do things in the kitchen I had always wanted to do. Yes, I did make the perfect bullseye many times. But I also learned how to make simple, nutritious dishes like poha. My mother’s signature dishes from sheera and chana dal finally had a permanent place in my kitchen.
How to clean my own home
I love to have a beautiful home. Today, I know I can have a beautiful, clean home every day, on my own efforts. I welcome help, if it is available. But I don’t need it.
How to do without the parlor
This was also the year when I outgrew the parlour. Anything I need to do when it comes to self-care I can now do for myself.
How to be comfortable on apps
When you live in a city like Bangalore, debit cards and apps are second nature. You never rely too much on cash. But after these two years, I can truly manage anywhere in the world with my phone and debit card.
How to plan your kitchen
I plan my kitchen for the week ahead now. I can also do this without leaving my home or having any house help to assist me.
How to have a daily workout routine
I always had a daily morning walk. But the lockdown made it necessary. My daily workout routine has never been more regular or rigorous.
How to self-test for Covid
I learned to do this for myself one lonely weekend when I was sick and home alone. It turned out to be like combing your hair. It hurts the least when you do it for yourself. I saw again the things we fear are never really difficult when we actually do them.
How to operate an oxygen cylinder
I am a creative person, not a technical or mechanical one. But I was guided by a kind stranger to manage my mother’s oxygen cylinder over a video conference when she was unwell. It’s a life skill everyone needs to have. You should not have to learn it for the first time amidst a crisis.
How to find beauty outside my window
I shared some of the most incredible sunsets during the lockdown. I took all of them from my window. There is indeed beauty all around us… If we only look for it.