Little Things during Lockdown

COVID-19, stealth, ruthless, helpless. In times like this, I cannot help but to reminisce on little (or not so little) things that we have always taken for granted of. Little things like being able to go to the gym without being paranoid of every surface I come in contact with, or to meet friends in the evening to rant about a bad day at work, or even celebrating family member’s birthday with a good hotpot meal. Miss the little things, the no agenda dates with the bf (or now husband) just to hang out and enjoy each other’s company. Window shopping, sipping coffee at a café when we are tired from walking now seem like a faraway luxury.

It is extraordinary times. On some days, I feel scared. Scared to be one of 15% of essential worker in Singapore’s workforce that has to report to work everyday. Any symptoms of throat irritation, breathlessness (probably from wearing mask the whole day), or cough will drive me into a highly anxious mode. On other days, I feel proud to be part of this team. I have worked with the frontline heroes, doctors and nurses, am definitely not a hero myself considered a ‘backend’ worker. Hence, I make it a point to ask every nurse I meet ‘Hi Sister, how are you doing?’ and wish them a ‘Stay safe’ during our encounters.  

Gratitude. Little things like thanking the delivery man, or grab driver makes a difference. Thankful for my sister and dad that volunteer to wake up early to fetch me to work during this CB period.

When will we return to ‘normal’ again? Will we ever return to ‘normal’? What even is ‘normal’? I don’t think anyone can or will forget this intense few months, especially not when this sickening virus has robbed the lives of 287,615 and counting as I am typing.

Look forward to the "end", when can I shift out into my new house, start planning for my wedding proper, an overseas prewedding shoot or even a year end trip.. though I doubt a year end trip is still in the cards for me. So many things to look forward to for 2021. As much as I wish ‘normal’ life will resume, we will not and should not forget that we shared this grief as a nation, as a human in this century.