In our Stories from Lockdown series, designer Amrita Thakur urges everyone to take this time to relax and unwind, and take a break from their fast paced lives. This time is like a forced break for everyone who is lucky enough to have a roof over their heads, and she emphasises on the importance of recollecting one’s thoughts during this pandemic, and reconnecting with loved ones.
“I had a baby about six months back, and I went back to work in about three and a half months, so I’m loving this time at home, being with my baby. It’s exhausting, but also so much fun,” she says. When asked what’s the one thing that keeps her going during the lockdown, both mentally and physically, the designer said, “Having a routine, and giving myself small tasks – like cleaning out a drawer, or cooking a dish, or reading 100 pages of a book I’m trying to finish, are some of the things that have been of help. There were a ton of board games that I didn’t think would see the light of day, they’ve all been finished now. Apart from that I’m also cooking and exercising everyday.”
The biggest lesson that she has learnt during this lockdown, she says, is that nothing is more supreme, and a greater equaliser, than Mother Nature. While she acknowledges and empathises with the people who aren’t as privileged and fortunate to be able to take this time off, and finds it sad and disturbing that there’s a lack of crisis management for migrant workers and the homeless, she also feels that a silver lining of this situation is the open conversation around mental health now. “The fact that mental health is being acknowledged, considered and talked about during these testing times is a huge positive,” she says.
Image Credit: Amrita Thakur
During the lockdown, the amount of time everyone is spending online, on social media and OTT platforms, has increased by a lot. We’re all trying to be mindful of the content we consume, and only focus on things that are good for our mental health, and the designer is no stranger to that. “I want to limit my time on Instagram, but I’m just failing everyday at that.” In the meantime, she recognises the importance of being productive and believes that the one way in which we can come together to make self-isolation a positive space is by being productive in our own capacity, and to influence and inspire others in any way, big or small.
When asked what’s the most important message she wishes to put across to our readers, she said, “I’d say get into a routine. It really helps with balancing your day out and it’s good for the mind to be productive. Stay connected, switch off and then regroup again.”
Image Credit: Amrita Thakur
The first thing that she says she’ll do once the lockdown is over, is meet her parents, and I’m sure we can all agree that being reunited with our loved ones will be the best feeling after this is all over.
Stories From Lockdown belong to everyone — the heroic healthcare workers on the frontlines, the content creators making isolation a little less insipid for all of us, the celebrities giving us a glimpse into their lives, the neighbourhood do-gooder who makes sure the less privileged are taken care of — and we’re here to tell those stories. Each one of these narratives deserves your attention and, while you’re at it, we encourage you to come forward and tell your own story. For this is the time to come together (albeit, virtually) and give each other a little more than just hope to cling on to.
Lead and Social Image Credits: Amrita Thakur
