Post lockdown: A to-do list to look forward to

Voluntary isolation is a serious business for many people. Even though movement restrictions have been eased many people are still afraid to go out because of the rising number of cases in the UAE. So they are refusing to leave their homes even to purchase essentials.

But self-isolation, despite the ease in movement restrictions, does have its downside.  Sometimes, not everyone is on the same page when it comes to complete and utter isolation. If a family unit comprises multiple people, some of them might think it’s extreme and unhealthy and may be getting jittery about being constantly cooped up for two months, especially when other people are trying to get some semblance of normality back. But out of courtesy for their ‘flatmates’ they comply.

But I’m sure they might also be making a list of all the things that they will do if and when their lives return to normal. Plus the things they will never want to do again because, most likely, those are the things that they will forever serve as a reminder to them of their horrible time being cooped up.

I too have made such a list, well one in my head anyway. I have a whole list of things I never want to do, eat, smell, hear or see again because of what they now represent. But on the upside there are a whole load of things I want to do, see, hear or start doing when things normalise for me. Because, let’s be honest, even though the government has eased restrictions, many people continue to be fearful of acting normally or doing the normal outdoor and shopping mall activities, since the number of cases are still rising and the curve does not look like it’s started to flatten yet.

In the meantime, I still miss my normal daily routines, primarily I miss my daily grocery shopping. If I were to be able to return to that it would be a sign that there is some normality returning to my family. Whilst out in the mall I’d also browse art materials and chat with people I know. And while I was out there I’d also buy myself small treats like my all-time favourite bar of chocolate that I enjoyed eating as a teen. But the supermarket that delivers doesn’t even know what it is!

I also miss my weekend morning walks. I’d either take it in the mall above which I live or on the 3rd floor recreational area of my building.

Since not being out in two months, like you, there are shoes and clothes I’ve not been able to wear and my favourite handbag I’ve not been able to carry. To be honest, if this fear continues, I doubt if I’ll need to buy anything in a while. I suspect a lot of other people won’t either.

If they have been afraid to go out, those who were commuting to and from work probably have clothes and shoes sitting in cupboards untouched in over two months. They may also feel they no longer need to buy clothes, shoes and accessories for themselves, at least not for a while. Or for their children. Are all those back to school sales a thing of the past now? Plus if school runs are gone and most people are working from home, does that mean very little petrol for the car is needed?

You know, my personal list of things is fairly simple and somewhat childish. But I don’t mind if anyone thinks I’m being childish right now. After these are not normal times.

For one thing, I haven’t painted a picture in more than 2 months. The last thing I want to have is a painting that will forever remind me of these times. I did a few small, quick pen drawings two to three weeks ago and, to be frank, I can’t stand to look at them. They remind me of how I felt and what I was thinking on the days I was drawing them.

And one last thing. I have a pair of worn-out rubber slippers, not flip-flops, that I wear at home. They are over 3 years old and in the last 2 months one of the pairs started to get a hole. I do have a replacement pair that is brand new and unworn. But I am not going to start wearing them until things are normal for me. I don’t want the new pair to remind me of these times either.

I’d love some mental peace from the incessant headbutting with people who could have been at work but are not due to the crisis.

I also want to have my ‘me’ time back, and believe me, you’d want that too if you shared a room with other people and had no privacy. I got that by going out to my regular spots. So I miss the chance to visit the local health club, not to exercise or swim, but to sit quietly in their library painting or reading.

Ah, those were the days!