Poem - Lockdown Loneliness Syndrome
The coronavirus has been rampaging since the end of 2019 and one thing that most world governments have done is to impose lockdown on the general public and the virus-infected for the sake of safety. Whether or not lockdowns are working in some ways, to keep us from contracting the virus, I can say with full assurance that it has done nothing at all to keep people mentally sound.
I am no health professional; I'll get that out of the way first. Lockdown affects us in more ways than mental. Our social lives are affected, our habits of exercising (for those who exercise) are affected, and so many aspects of our lives are affected. In this post, I just want to concentrate on the mental aspect, more specifically on loneliness and my thoughts and feelings.
As of now, lockdowns are lifted in my district in my state and things seem to be looking alright for now. During the lockdown, we all found ourselves stuck inside our homes, unable to go out. For those who live in the countryside, they are, at the very least, able to go out into their gardens in nature or go around in the neighbourhood for a walk. I can't imagine how people in cities are living, unable to even open the doors.
As someone who has lived in apartments in the city for 15 years, and then coming down to India to stay in a small village in the country, I can say with 100% confidence that I would prefer a country house to an apartment any day. But I can imagine how hard it is for apartment dwellers to be holed up inside their houses all day with no contact with others. It is the same even with those who live in the country. Both sides experience a drop in joy. The second wave lockdown lasted about a month and a half, and I don't know about you, but I sure was suffering from loneliness. It was so much that I was compelled to write a poem about it which you can read below:
We have two dogs and two cats and each of them plays with each other, sleeps next to each other, eats together, and does nearly everything together. My parents have each other to talk to and I, well, don't. Although not friendless, the only way I can reach my friends is through my phone but it doesn't do much because I would rather see them face-to-face.
I think of Adam at this point. God created him and placed him in a splendid, perfect world; he also even got to talk to God and the angels face to face. If he felt lonely without an equal despite living in a perfect world with God, nature, and the angels, then what would it say for us who are living in a diseased world in midst of a lockdown? Even though God is near, we still would crave the company of a friend, a family member, a lover, or a spouse. After all, we were made to have contact with others, so much that having or not having it can affect health for better or worse. Even the most introverted of individuals who love their alone time would not thrive without contact. I think this is the beauty of the Creator, that He made us like Him, to want companionship.
What did you think of lockdowns and how did you feel during them? Leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you.
Thank you for reading this post and don't forget to share it with your contacts. Thank you for your constant love and support!
See you in the next,
Arnica
Hi Arnica, Was impressed with your poem, you expressed your feelings in it. I think each one of us would have different experiences. Yes, with a friend around you of your age would make you happy. Your friend, or spouse or lover would not give complete happiness, as you cannot reveal everything to them. You can reveal to God or your parents. Association is important as we are made like that. You can find joy in your pets too. Lockdown has effected people in different ways. Living in flats is depressing, living in a country home around nature will keep you busy and in health too. Your God will be your best friend there.
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