Taken for Granted

It was Sunday and I woke up late as usual to realise a sink full of utensils was waiting for me to be cleaned before I could prepare tea and my favourite Sunday breakfast. It has been around two months with no house help to do cleaning and mopping because of lockdown. I have always respected house helps considering the fact they have to work so hard physically. But yes, when they have cribbed or taken leaves unannounced or adopted shortcuts I have been upset. My logic has been when we are doing our professional duties sincerely, they should also co-operate. But this lock down has made me conscious of the fact that monetary or non monetary benefits cannot make up for the efforts required to do the work they do for us. When I am feeling tired and bored of doing my own household cleaning tasks how can I expect them to do it consistently with equal efficiency day in day out. They are expected to be punctual, clean, efficient, hardworking and consistent. Isn’t the fact that we are paying them has made us take their work for granted?

For some time now, many Indian men have been actively participating in household chores like never before. It’s not they did not empathise earlier but work from home has given them an opportunity to make some actual contribution. They are trying to juggle household work along with office work. Some are complaining about double work while some are praising women for their efficiencies. Isn’t the fact that women can manage home and office together easily taken too granted for long.

Shopping at supermarkets has become more of recreational activity than necessity for many. I have always enjoyed exploring and buying new items on shelves of supermarkets. Be it new sauce, bread or new type of cookies. When I needed 10 items, I have always ended up buying 15-20 items. Other than this online shopping has been a part of daily routine. While traveling favourite time pass is to just explore the online shopping sites and see what’s new and order if something looks exciting. Everything is available so easily. Even with simple phone call, everything arrives at doorstep in an hour.

This lockdown has made me realise what is actually essential in life. It has been a struggle to get items on all online portals. Even if we get items delivery slots are not available. If slot is available, stock is no longer availability. It has been a circus to procure even necessary items. Even after receiving items sanitising them has been a task. Nothing has remained simple and straightforward. Have realised that we have made ourselves too used to comfort of availability of plenty. Everything on click has made us take for granted so many things. Its a real blessing to get to enjoy so many cuisines, so much variety. Frequenting restaurants whenever bored had become the norm. Now realised that without fancy dishes also we can survive and be happy. It plain simple food that can be satiating and healthy.

Every morning when I saw people running, doing yoga in society park, I used to wonder how they can compromise on early morning sleep. But today I’m craving to go and have a walk-in fresh air and morning Sun. Never felt that it’s a luxury to have open spaces around the house to take care of physical and mental wellbeing. Even before school started, calendars were realised by school so that people can plan their annual vacation accordingly. We felt bored if we did not get to travel once or twice a year for vacation. Weekend trips were add-ons. But now for going outside society premises, we need to think twice.

In our busy schedules we may not necessarily take time out to catch up with old friends and extended family. But now online meetings with them have become a stress busting activity and all happy moments and memories have been revived. Now everyone is planning for reunions and get-togethers post lockdown. In time of emotional lows these relations are saviour. During normal times I have skipped so many family events, tea parties with regular friends citing busy schedule as an excuse. Aren’t we too engrossed in materialistic activities in regular life? Do we really need this kind of disaster to bring us together?

These and many such aspects have been crossing my mind since the lockdown.Knowingly-unknowingly many things have been assumed in life to be necessary or critical for happiness.This compulsory break has given an oppurtunity to look at many things from a new perspective.

Happiness actually lies in small - small things and small - small comforts. Happiness lies in warmth of loved ones. Happiness is in being safe with family and children and spending time with them.Happiness lies in simple yet healthy meal.Happiness is watching movie,playing cards,taking a nap in noon.Happiness is team effort of all at home.

We need few things and great awareness to live a happy fulfilling life!!