#Lockdown

General Posts • 20th Apr, 20

#LOCKDOWN

What does this mean to “Me”, my Family and Neighbourhood?

When the “national lockdown” due to the corona virus was announced by our President, 3 weeks, my entire life seemed to be falling apart.  I was in a state of panic and in shock. How can this happen?

  My daily routine (my work, my Nia classes and yoga classes, my visits to the mall, my once a month visit to my family in Durban) something I had come to live by was being taken away from me for 3 whole  weeks.

The big question in my mind was – How was I going to survive?  I had 3 days before the lockdown was implemented, I had to come up with a plan.

For the 3 weeks I was going to create my “temporary” routine.  For those that do not know me, besides having a day job, I am a Nia dance instructor and a qualified yoga teacher.

I recently completed my black belt, so haven’t really got into the swing of things with regards to my teaching.  The lockdown was an ideal time to go through all my belt principles, 52 in all.

I was going to do 4 principles daily, total time to spend 3-5 hours. It seemed like everything was under control for the 3 weeks national lockdown.

 

My routine:

1.  To wake up early every morning.
2. Do what I usually do on normal working days.
3. Attend to my pets
4. Shower meditate
5. Go over to my studio after a light breakfast and get cracking with my principles.
6. I also realised I could do a short Nia dance video for my students and send it to them.
7. I decided I was not going to go into my studio on the weekends.

In a nutshell my life looked like a breeze, I was going to crack this “national lockdown”.  Before we knew it, I was going to go back to my daily life.

Day 1 of the national lockdown arrived, everything went as planned, and it looked as if my routine was set.  I was very excited.

My first week went by without a hitch.

A week and a half into the national lockdown, we were told by our President that the lockdown was going to be extended by a further 2 weeks.

Oops, another panic attack, I had not come up with another plan to spend my day.

Back tracking a little, just before the national lockdown, social media was abuzz with facts and conspiracy theories with regards to the Corona virus. The alarming number of deaths worldwide and spread of the virus. It was becoming a pandemic.  Just as the virus was flaring so was social media. Everyone I knew including myself was sharing news that I received to everyone I knew that would of be on interest. On face book etc. the number of zoom classes of various modalities being offered. There were various Nia on line classes being offered.

 I became members of 4 what’s up group without my permission. If I did not check my cell phone for an hour I would have 50 what’s up message.

 I felt overwhelmed with the pressure from the social media.   My system went into overdrive. I also felt pressure for not offering Nia classes via Zoom.

My entire life I always felt left out because I would not follow what everyone else was doing. This took me back to my childhood. It’s okay to be different. Hence my 10 minutes video clip of my Nia class to my students.

After much deliberation I decided to pay and do a Nia class via zoom.  Well almost half way through the class I left, I felt so disassociated with the group.  I enjoy personal interaction.

For 2 days I went off all social media communications.  What a bliss.

My husband and I work together and during the national lockdown, we have been spending almost all our time together. We have been giving each other space whenever it is needed. During this time my husband has been my best friend and confidant. We have grown to love and respect each other for whom we are. Me without my monthly hair colour and not a stitch of makeup. 

My entire family live in Durban, I have always taken my monthly visit to them for granted or did not appreciate it until know.  Family is a very integral part of one’s evolution, I really miss seeing them. With modern technology a call and you can see and chat with them. It’s not the same as the physical contact. Hugging my mum, sitting and chatting hours with my brothers. Going shopping with my sons and his wife. Hugging my little “nunu. Having my entire family with my mum and spending the evening together is a luxury.

 

My husband and I do not live in one of the friendliest neighbourhoods.  We have been living here for the past 13 years and barely know our neighbours. If I know anything about my neighbours, it’s from our domestic help that we have had over the years.  Domestic helpers know everything that happens in people’s homes.  I found this out over the years.

During the national lockdown, those that do not socialise with their neighbours, packed their bags and have left for greener pastures. It’s in a very long time that we have actually seen and waved to our immediate neighbours.  

We have been forced to support our local supermarkets, chemist etc.  Paul and I have decided to go to the supermarket once a week. 

The drive, which is about 2 kilometres away is so precious. Standing in the queue to get into the supermarket, wearing our masks, but making eye contact with another person is so special. No words were needed, we were all in this together.

A visit to our local supermarket became a very special event in our week.  Something we took for granted in the past.

With over 3 weeks into the Nation lockdown, what does all of this mean to me?

1.  I have studied my 52 principles, mastered my 52 Nia moves. Discovered so much more literature to enhance my practice.
2. I beginning to understand what the “human” body, mind. Emotion and spirit connection is all about.  I will never be able to fully understand this in this life time.
3. I have learnt to slow down, not feel guilty for doing nothing.  It’s okay to do so.
4. I look around me and see how nature is beginning to repair its self. The bright blue sky. The hundreds of beautiful coloured butterflies. The deep sound of the waves breaking against the shore. The distant sound of a cricket. The crisp morning air, fresh and unpolluted.
5. The beauty of our surroundings, our spacious home, back garden, full with different types of birds. Our loyal pets.
6. My brothers who never in the past picked up the phone and called me, call to see if we were okay.
7. Called my regular students and work colleagues to see how they were doing.
8. Waving and greeting our neighbours, which we had not done in a while.
9. Making meals that I had never dreamt of. A new dish every day.
10. Mastered the art of bread making. Made my first batch of hot dog rolls.
11. Surviving with not colouring my hair for over a month and not wearing make up for over 3 week.

 My list can go on.

 There is one thing for sure, my life is never going to be the same again. What and how we look at our lives going forward is each ones individual choice.  The choices I make in future will take into account how I react and treat my environment, family and friends. I will try and support local and small businesses in my area so that they can flourish. Not drive around unnecessary so that I don’t use too much fuel which is harm to our environment.

 

 

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