Quite a few things changed in this lockdown with ease, the biggest reason being the necessity to optimize.
Apart from hand sanitizers one of the major shortages was paper towels for the Kitchen. For someone who was an avid user of paper towels in the Kitchen for every spill and clean up, it was something to be thought about.
I solved it by buying 2 packs of cloth hand towels (24 each) and 2 packs of cloth wash towels (24 each) from amazon. For the last couple of months, I have been using them generously in the kitchen and washing them regularly, they work extremely well. I realized I can do without paper towels.
While growing up, I saw mum using the wash towels in the kitchen extensively and we actually never felt the necessity to use paper towels. I understand using paper towels is more hygienic and so the use, but how do we then reduce the consumption of paper from every sphere. I think, by reducing the paper towels usage if not eliminating it, we can actually conserve some trees. So by doing so, it gives me a good feeling that I am reducing the use of paper. My cleaning process neither stops nor gets impacted.
I also got a chance to sign up for paperless statements for all my credit cards and bills. So many of us have already done that but so many like me were probably still procrastinating, I finally did it. It definitely makes a difference to the clutter in my mailbox and of course, goes a long way saving paper not to mention that 2 minutes I save in sorting the mails.
In fact, I finally got a chance to consolidate the credit cards. If you think logically you really don’t need so many credit cards in the first place, but we keep on signing up for them just to avail offers and then they become unmanageable. I personally don’t think it’s worth it. Reducing the number of credit cards also helps in managing your expense better. Your expenses are more streamlined and are not scattered everywhere. This in turn gives you a fair idea of where you stand in terms of monthly expenses. I agree there are many apps which can consolidate all your expense and send you analysis, but everything takes time and who really has the time. I would rather have 4 cards do my shopping instead of 14. I assure you that while you might lose on a few offers in shopping it greatly helps you streamline your expenses.
This lockdown compelled me to look for things that make me feel positive, planting seeds and watching them grow gives me hopes and a lot of positivity. I have planted in small containers, using the seeds available at home (tomatoes, fenugreek, and mustard). The results are amazing and the greens are refreshing. They really give you good vibes and something to look forward to.
When I yearn for a vacation because cooking so much in midst of work and what not is making me tired, I think of something a friend said to me in the beginning of the lockdown “The earth is breathing now and I feel good for the oceans as there is lesser number of ships sailing and making noise and dumping garbage in deep seas”. The animals will surely have a brighter and more enjoyable summer.
When I feel confined in the four walls I think of Nelson Mandela and Gandhiji who spent umpteen number of years in prison yet used it so constructively and came out stronger and mightier. I am sure this will pass and we will come out stronger. At the same time, I sincerely hope that we will be more appreciative of Mother Nature. I think one of the most important take away from this crisis is how we should all strive a little more towards conserving and protecting nature. Work from home is a possibility, lesser cars on roads are a possibility, and we can survive without drinking from straws and using less plastic. In the end reduce, reuse and recycle will be a win-win for all.
There are many more small changes I have made to my life which have made me use my resources optimally. Feeling grateful every day is also something which I am learning (it needs practice and a constant reminder to oneself for sure), from deviating your attention from what is hurting to what is healing. For now, I feel grateful to our essential workers and extremely thankful to the delivery guys who have enabled us to remain indoors. Every time they deliver and I am around I shout a big thank you from my heart and the expression and the nod I get from them behind the masks is priceless.
