Lockdown was an emotional rollercoaster for most of us. We have experienced everything from fear, uncertainty, stress to apathy and even contentment and acceptance. We acknowledge our privilege in general and are grateful for the many things we do have but we have also had to mourn friends, loved ones and missed experiences.
We’re a sarcastic bunch, but we’re also old (and wise) enough to know that the only possible path is forward, so we choose to look at the situation with objectivity and to celebrate our wins (like finding onions) and to learn from our mistakes (not saving enough money for the future in times of abundance). After quiet contemplation the bazaar team has come up with their best and worst moments.
Farah (Mixed Media Content)
Low: My low point was definitely when we went under full lockdown. I think being unable to leave the house even if you don’t have any plans was hard to fathom. Letting go of any control and really surrendering to the circumstances was a work in progress, but hey we got there!
High: Experimenting with different types of recipes and really getting to know what activities I enjoy doing in my spare time. I felt like this time off really re-introduced me to myself again. It was the unplugging I didn’t know I needed.
Jennifer Cádiz (Mixed Media Solutions)
Low: (honest) Experiencing my first ever seizure and blacking out, probably due to the fact I’d not been looking after myself when it came to food and nourishment, was definitely a low point. I realized if something truly awful happened to me, there wouldn’t be anyone to help me, and who would notice or when would they? A thoroughly sobering thought. We die alone.
Low: (lighthearted) Wearing through my favorite pair of Swiss on running sneakers at exactly the point when taxis were taken off the streets. My cool looking lifestyle sneakers don’t really do much good when walking miles, unless blister upon blister is the desired effect.
High: The stranger who made me burst into tears because they gave me a disposable mask so I could enter the supermarket I’d had to walk to in the heat in order to buy the cat food I needed, the friend who gave me a reusable facemask which completely changed my experience so I was able to go outside more often, friends going out of their way to give me homemade meals, and lifts back from the supermarket. The generosity, kindness and humanity of it all. So while people can be awful and I despise them, people can also be wonderful and I love them.
Umika Pidaparthy (Online Producer)
Low: Seeing the ever-increasing number of COVID-19 cases was and still is scary and nightmarish. Healthcare workers globally have been hard at work battling the virus and many countries have managed to gain control. But the crisis at its peak was definitely paralyzing and the rising sense of panic and fear was definitely a low point for me, as I’m sure it is/was for many others. Until the pandemic ceases to be a pandemic, we just have to continue grasping onto hope!
High: I am grateful that I was able to have a few wins during this time. I was able to deep clean my apartment, make major strides in a work project, and connect with family members and friends, some of whom I had not talked to in a very long time, and have conversations that went beyond the usual small talk. But the one I am most proud of was actually completing an online course that I had heard a lot about and bookmarked, but never got around to doing because of, well, life. In fact completing that course gave me the confidence to tackle other things I had meant to do and develop new healthy habits, which during the pandemic is definitely a privilege!
Yasmine El Charif (Content Manager)
Low: The physical and psychological implications of full lockdown were hard. Being separated from my mom for close to six months also took a huge toll, as she has always been an enormous source of support for me. But really, the lowest point was seeing how people have deeply struggled in locked down areas, and the social and economic strife which ensued. People say we’re all in the same boat, but we truly are not. We’re all exploring uncharted waters, and some people are better equipped with state-of-the-art yachts, and others are barely staying afloat. If I learned anything, it is to always check your sense of privilege before considering offering a judgement to someone.
High: Nonetheless, you try and see the positive in everything. Always. I got to experience so many firsts with my little one, as working from home provided me with this invaluable opportunity. I am forever grateful for this time.
Yasmin Gamal (Mixed Media Creator)
Low: Worrying about the future was definitely the worst. I generally refuse to dwell on the past or think too much about what is to come. But the pandemic forced me to reflect on life and what might happen, especially all the worst case scenarios. I would catch myself making imaginary plans for all of my nightmares. I recognize and am grateful for my privilege, but that doesn’t make my personal losses any less real to me.
High: Katsu Chicken Curry! Yes, I found a foolproof recipe that works every time and uses ingredients that are usually stocked in my pantry or fridge. While other people were finding comfort in baking banana bread and raising their sourdough starter pets, I was craving spices and heat. The rich, thick curry sauce was an instant hit at home and got a spot on our weekly dinner menu rotation.
