Life at work 2.0

26 May 2020, 7:10 am. My day starts with travelling to work by using public transport. In another year, this day would have no special significance. It would be just another mundane day, another year.

The year is 2020 which makes all the difference! Life has begun again. Living in Melbourne, Australia gives me an opportunity to step out in the world of work a little earlier than the rest of my friends and family being huddled in Mumbai, India. So here is what I witnessed today.

The good news….

• People smile more often, feel a sense of gratitude as you make that quick eye-contact while crossing a signal or waiting for the train. Never did I think, I would be excited to see so many strangers, new faces, that I know I may not see again.
• Everyone has a story to tell, and they are curious to know about yours. So I end up becoming a storyteller — sharing my journey of lockdown for the past 2 months
• The mannequins at the pricy retail stores seem to be intrigued & delighted to see more humans on the not-so-busy street
• Freedom looks like —walking down a street in the city ( because now we can walk anywhere outside your own house), taking public transport without asking the police for a travel pass ( yes, back in Mumbai, people need to do this) observing people’s excitement to be out, kids running, the sun shining, empty space next to your train seat
• I still feel fortunate that I have my part-time job! As a school counsellor, I notice the students checking with me, on how was my day; they are more welcoming who took the courage to attend school today

The not-so-good news

• There are signs everywhere — a poster on the wall, hoarding on the main road, train announcements to maintain the physical distance and more. They all exist to let us know that this new visitor ( COVID) is very much around us, so even if you want to forget for a millisecond, these signs and the masks people wear to remind you, of the invisible insecurities of 2020
• Yet I see myself slipping into my old habits. I don’t think twice to huddle up and board the train or bring my hand too close to reach out for the handle of the tram. Then I reluctantly dig into the hand sanitiser, and another anxious thought visits me
• There is this weird silence in the air, not a feeling of joy that you smell

That’s my lived experience. And I am curious to know yours.

P.S : I acknowledge that I took 2 weeks to gather my thoughts and express it here owing to living in my mental landscape full of anxiety,worry and distraction.