Stripped to the Bare Bones

Guiwanon Spring Park, Siquijor | May 1, 2016 

If there's one thing this quarantined life teaches us is that we can be stripped to the bare bones and it's okay. 

We can live with only the basic things like food, shelter, and clothing. Basic clothing even like shorts and tshirts and slippers will do. If you work from home, a blouse or a coat over shorts is perfect! 

Truth is we can remove all of life's trappings, the non-essentials, and life goes on very well. This pandemic somehow levels the field.

Before, I couldn't let a week pass by without shopping, or buying a thing or two. Now, I can't believe I am not on shopping spree online! Ha ha! 

I did count the days when ECQ would be lifted, and we would be allowed to go out. When GCQ was implemented and finally, we can go out, I hesitated. I don't know why. 

I did go out once to go to the bank, and was really shocked to see plastic hung from ceiling to floor, separating bank employees and clients. I felt icky. And I couldn't help applying alcohol as soon as I got back to the car. 

When I was cooped up at home, and just hearing the stories of Covid-19 affecting lives, it felt real but not really real. You know what I mean? I felt more like watching a movie being played out. But that one instance when I went out, the whole situation felt super real. 

Before, my life has always been about what I can buy or get. Now, it has been about how I can help, how I can reach out to those who need me. 

I like how Francis Kong puts it, "things our lives revolved around: work, gym, malls, parties, designer stuff, & society have all gone for a toss as we are learning to live without them."   

The best part is lunch or dinner (yes, it's an "or" for me because I have Zoom meetings from 3pm onwards!) time these days. The whole family, composed of me, my husband, my two sons, our kasambahay and our angel) eats together and has an extended time to share stories. Dining time lasts an hour or more. I love it! 

So yeah, this pandemic has reset our lives... for the better, I pray. 

Ⓒ 14 June 2020

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