Tips for making most of quarantine

By Tanzeel Rauf Farooqui

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we have seen that the world, as a whole, has been greatly affected. Our lifestyle has had to be altered to bring it in line with this epidemic, the new normal, as many have termed it. 

Although these times have been proving to be cumbersome for most of us, we must realize the harsh realities and let’s adjust our lives accordingly to meet the challenge.

These times are indeed tough, even to the extent of being depressing, but we must not let these get to our heads. We must be optimistic during all phases of life and these times too shall pass. 

Now that most of us are forcefully or unwillingly locked up in our homes, we have more time on our hands to do things that in the normal, regular routine seemed rather difficult. This is a golden opportunity for us, which we must avail and make the most of it. 

On the top of our list, we could always invest our time in reading. With the extra time at our disposal, we should use maximum time in reading books, articles or magazines, whatever interest us.

In this highly competitive world, all of us need a little more than just the formal education or training that we acquire to succeed forward in life. Books give us the extra bit of knowledge that we need and there are a wide variety of books available that we can read. 

Personally, I feel that as Pakistanis, we should utilize this time and read books that pertain to our history. Pick up books that relate to the not so distant past so that we may reconnect and then progress along going into older times.

There is a vast variety of books available and they contain the truth of our nation, some moments that make us beam with pride, while others which are rather dark, but we need to know all these instances as the good or the bad, they are our history. 

Other than reading, we can also use this time and pursue the many online certifications that are available, many of whom are free. They would help us develop our skills further that would be beneficial for us, or we can explore more fields and diversify our resumes. 

All of us should focus on being productive and utilizing this time that we have, if seen from a rather optimistic angle, is a blessing in disguise. 

The positive sides of life should always be seen, and although this pandemic has affected our lives in ways that are rather uncomfortable, we must adjust to it and make the best possible use of it.