A few days ago I saw a visual in an Instagram story, in which several recommendations were made on how to deal with the corona crisis, the ban on contacts, our fears and all the other crap that is currently on our minds. For example there was "Social Distancing -> Physical Distancing". Or: "Function -> reflect". But long before I could do anything with it, my story display jumped to the next person I was following – who was trying the Tiktok Emoji Hand Challenge.
Be productive in a state of emergency
For just a few weeks now, many people have been at home far more than usual and the Internet is full of ideas about how we can spend our time – even – in our own four walls and although the world is largely standing still outside, use sensibly can. Corona-Challenge here, Corona-Challenge there, one fasts, the other has Skype lunch dates and suddenly every second feels like he's at Tiktok. Experts advise me to go round the "block" in the morning and evening to simulate my way to work when I am in the home office, and under no circumstances should I work in my pajamas, but rather dress properly.
The explanations make absolute sense. But they still don't convince me, because inside me an admittedly very emotional-sounding voice screams: Why should I now compulsorily simulate what I always felt to be a totally annoying time eater in normal times, which kept me from using my "fresh out of bed" energy? Why can't I work in pajamas or sweatpants when I feel more comfortable and can concentrate better? And more generally asked: why should I look for challenges now and pack my time at home as much as possible, if, for once, I could just be there and listen to myself – without missing anything outside?
Being alone is the biggest challenge
I know that human beings are social beings and it is precisely this characteristic that we owe everything from the ability to speak and think to Camembert that I love. Being alone and being happy alone is a challenge in itself. But the nice and comforting thing about the current situation is that we are not alone! Everyone is affected by the pandemic, we have never been more connected and had something in common than we are now. This knowledge calms me immensely and for me it is all I need to wait, follow the instructions and keep still.
Nevertheless, I also understand those who fill this time with Skype lunches and homeworkouts – after all, we are used to busy schedules. Functioning, being productive, surrounding yourself with others and constantly receiving some feedback from them are normally an integral part of our everyday life. Holding onto this will probably give many people security and stability in this unsettling, troubled time. I would just like to point out that what we are experiencing is (luckily!) Unique. In a few weeks or months we will rush to sleep in the office and sleep in uncomfortable clothes as usual and need a good reason not to be out with friends or in the gym. Today in a year, many will yearn for slowing down and more time for themselves. In addition, this compulsion to be productive and to function constantly has a large part in the reason why it is so difficult for us now to keep our feet still in order to save human lives. Perhaps the time at home would also be used sensibly if we would think about it for half an hour …
Anything that helps is allowed
With all this, I definitely don't want to say that I find it wrong to look for challenges now, to do sports at home and to have lunch with others via Skype. Everyone should do what best helps them through this crisis. But: Productivity and actionism are not the only ways to use this time wisely. I would therefore find it wrong to put challenges and goals on the isolation agenda because others are doing it or to be able to post something on the Internet. After all, what we see on the Internet is only what people want to upload and show. What we do not see is how millions of isolated people eat lunch alone and may find that they perceive the aromas much more intensely if they concentrate on eating without being distracted or the like. Millions of people learn in this Time to endure yourself – and with a high probability you will notice that it is not necessary to have a lot to listen to to live and feel something.
And with regard to the smart home office tips, I have now arranged the following: What experts recommend is only what they think is suitable for a certain type of person. And that's why for the first two hours of my Corona working day, I will continue to sit on my laptop wearing sweatpants, a t-shirt, teeth that have not been brushed, and sleep in my eyes.