A lifestyle change is the need of the hour during the long lockdown period, opines Sehar. She tells us what she did in the first twelve days, exclusively for Different Truths.

Today, when I sit to write this piece, it is my 12th day of self qurantine.

This write-up is dedicated to the things in my life that changed during these 12 days and the new things I learnt.

This write-up is dedicated to the things in my life that changed during these 12 days and the new things I learnt.

When I read the quote by Steve Jobs which goes like this, “The journey is the reward.” I brought myself to believe and enjoy the journey called life.

Today, what I want to write about the journey of these 12 days that brought out changes that I saw and felt within me.

At home and getting a call in the evening from by boss that I will be reporting from home until further notice, I spent that evening thinking what will it be like from tomorrow

At home and getting a call in the evening from by boss that I will be reporting from home until further notice, I spent that evening thinking what will it be like from tomorrow – the first promise I made to myself was that I shall not let this new change affect my routine.

I too, like most of us, wanted to extend those blissful morning hours of sleep.

Instead, I challenged the obese person within me let’s take that mat and sweat it out buddy!

It was day one – 6:30 in the morning when I sipped the water and spread my mat. The warmth of the sun slowly pierced through my skin

It was day one – 6:30 in the morning when I sipped the water and spread my mat. The warmth of the sun slowly pierced through my skin and within 20mins I was panting like a dog.

I rolled my mat took that Insta pic did an upload and there rang the bell indicating the arrival of my cook.

For days together, cooking has been another challenge for me. I decided to cook if not chop unaware of what was coming for me later in the week.

Cooking for my husband, who was still going to work, got me excited a little. Every evening I waited for his feedback.

Now, it was time for some skin care and soul care, I took up a ten–day challenge to be steadfast in my prayers

Now, it was time for some skin care and soul care, I took up a ten-day challenge to be steadfast in my prayers and leave my skin to breathe.

I did crave to add that dash of Kajal to my daily look but it was time for some detox.

Addicted to reading news and social media, my nerves were now aching with stress about the uncertainity. It was time to look inwards and reconnect to the Almighty. I decided to say my Salah (Namaaz) regulary and spend some more time making duas and seeking forgiveness.

The last prayer of the day was the time when I sat on my prayer mat closed my eyes and just meditated with a conscious mind reconnecting with Allah (swt) and growing that bond stronger.

From a hyperactive individual to a super busy woman, who was learning to balance work and home, my body had grown millions and zillions of fat cells, wanting to get rid of them but doing nothing about it.

From a hyperactive individual to a super busy woman, who was learning to balance work and home, my body had grown millions and zillions of fat cells, wanting to get rid of them but doing nothing about it. I decided to add fasting to my workout and ended my day with an early dinner.

Now it was time for the Big Lockdown and guess what, the ‘No maid season’ to begin. The challenge became even harder but this time there was no giving up.

With the morning alarm, my day began with a beautiful click from my phone camera, which I uploaded on a support group, rolling out mat while the ginger water boiled and ending the morning hours with breakfast and lunch fixed and home cleaned.

Instead of eating with my colleagues, I now had time to eat and talk to my Mum-in-law. In a marriage of two years, while I somehow managed work and home, there was never time for conversation.

The next eight hours were dedicated  to working for a livelihood. Instead of eating with my colleagues, I now had time to eat and talk to my Mum-in-law. In a marriage of two years, while I somehow managed work and home, there was never time for conversation. But these lunch hours gave me a window into the childhood of my husband and a space to bond with my Mum-in-law.

Early dinner led me to open a new window to writing and reaching out.

I picked up my pen again and this time it was to reach out to each community member with my words as there was not other way I could help!

Today is the 12th day and I dont know how many more days to go but life in times of Corona has certainly helped me:

l Use my waking hours effectively

l Reconnect with friends and family

l Learn how to balance work and household

l Accept things the way they are

l Be spirtually alive!

Its just been tweleve days and I dont know whether I will be able to manage days ahead as I could till now.

Pull yourself up and do what it takes to invest time in yourself as no one else will or can.

But my dear friends, this lockdown cannot lock you out unless you given in to the despair and uncertainity. Pull yourself up and do what it takes to invest time in yourself as no one else will or can.

Change what you want, accept what you can and choose yourself over everything else.

Because to keep others around you happy and re-assured, your own peace and equilibrium is what matters the most.

My life changed during these twelve days. What about yours?

Photos from the Internet