Staying Sane

Self-isolation.

Who would have ever thought such concept that is presumably very alien to the extroverts - yet very close to introverts on the other hand - would be a daily mantra to the global citizen today?

I came across a post on social media on a list of people who had done amazing contribution to the world during their time of isolation. One name keeps on coming up: William Shakespeare. Many of you might have also seen the plague meme, but to what extent the quarantine output is true, I'll leave it to The Guardian to dwell on that.

That said, I am not here to talk about the world-renowned English poet tho. This post is then, inspired by  the story of Dr William Chester Minor, an American surgeon who was of a huge assistance to Sir James Murray in the 1800s, which the show 'The Professor and the Madman' is based upon.

Long story short, Sir James Murray was the man who initiated the work on compiling entries for the very first Oxford English Dictionary (OED). And in the midst of his tough days in looking for the evolution of the words and their historical details, his team was being assisted by an American surgeon who was serving his time in a criminal lunatic asylum in Broadmoor. I'll not be going into the details (to avoid giving out spoilers) on why Dr William Minor ended up in such a place, but I guess it's enough to say that, isolation can keep you sane when there are things you do look forward to, and in fact, can be the most productive period of your lifetime.

On my 7th day of staying home, I almost got depressed for the inability to go out and take some fresh air whenever I want to (it is feasible, it's just the precautionary measures that I need to take if I am to leave the house that hinder me every time - I'm lazy and I know it). It's just not the way it used to be. But on the very same day, a moment after being at that 'verge of depression', I sat on my chair facing my study desk. I stared on a paper I stick onto the wall of my room; a paper with a list of deadlines that I need to chase.

I turned on my laptop and and started to open some files. I started reading my essays and drafts and research papers. Things that have been started can't be left unfinished, can they?

I then immersed myself in my work. While everybody was being distracted from work with ceaseless Covid-19 news, I decided to go and explore the other side of the coin. I started to distract myself from the worrying updates by burying myself in my work. I am utterly grateful for that capability, cause some people just can't do that, and I totally understand. I even stopped replying to some texts that I got from my close friends, if it's anything related to the outbreak (I'm truly sorry, but I've decided that, I have had enough and at this point, I need my life to move forward despite being surrounded by the infinite uncertainties). Nonetheless, I still keep myself updated with the whole thing (I don't think I can ever run away from that at the time being) but I have limit the amount of time I spend scrolling through the updates, as most of them aren't really settling. 

(This is where Holmes comes into the picture 😉)

Work is the best antidote to sorrow, my dear Watson

(Not the first time I used this quote for a blog post aha sorry for the redundancy but it's one of the best quotes I have ever read) 

I developed new routines, and as of today, I am loving it. My days are now not only filled with writing my essays and working on my dissertation, but also reading books that I have bought months or even years ago, making sure I don't miss my daily dose of vitamin C, taking more calls from my family, watching shows that I was only able to add to my 'prime watchlist' before, and this. This, writing in a space I have dedicated for expressing myself for many months now. I should probably start drawing again too.

I don't know how many more days it will take me to stay sane, but I'll try my best to, as I believe when this 'storm' is over, there's a sunshine waiting to be embraced, by myself, by us, by every breathing soul on Earth.

p/s: I don't exactly know why I am writing this. But my mum has been worrying about us being far from her for the past few weeks. Not like she's gonna read this but this is just a way of me saying 'I'm doing fine here!' though I know it won't be able to take her restlessness away. This won't be long and we'll be able to come back to you soon and we'll be fine insya Allah. Whoever is reading this, save a spot for me in your prayers okay :)

This post is then dedicated to the woman I love most, who has been thinking about me every hour, even more now, ever since the day I was breathing in her womb. Love you loads, and sorry to keep you waiting