How to Kill Time with 5 Most Engaging Activities During Lockdown?

Well, the world is fighting against the CO-VID19 and we are at home during lockdown period. Don’t you think life is too short to feel bored?  So, how the lockdown period is going for you? Answer to this question may vary depending on your experience right now! However, if you are finding it hard to deal with this crucial time without getting bored, here are few activities that you may consider:

1. Introduce Yourself to PMA Reading!

Now, some of you may say that we are aware of it or we are already reading! But here is the most important thing ‘what are you reading’? If my question sounds little funky to you then take a pause and think why I am suggesting to read a PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) book. The digital world is flooded with information including facts and rumors and we are unknowingly grasping it.

As you know, everything goes into our mind has an impact on our thought process. So, if you wish to think right then it is important to read a PMA book that helps you gain the positivity which is much required during lockdown. Beware of sticking to browsing to all sort of negative information that you actually do not need to live life.

2. Return to Your Favorite Hobby!

Remember the time you used to complain about not getting enough time to pursue your hobby! Due to the constant pressure to cope up with modern lifestyle choices, our hobbies were at backseat. Well it is the time to get back to your hobby. Open your Almirah, take out your painting kit and start painting. If you love gardening, what could be better way to do it when you are available at home during sunrise and sunset!

No more rush to meet the corporate deadlines, no bucking up for office and skipping breakfast and no returning home dead tired! It is perfect time to be at peace with yourself and with nature. How about getting back to singing you once used to enjoy much? For dance-lovers, it is the right time to put your dancing shoes on and rock the world. If you are a sport enthusiast, do not let this chance go in vain.

3. Engage Yourself in Per Diem Workout!

Being at home does not mean anyway eat, sleep and relax. Lace up your workout shoes and try fitness exercises at home. You can pick whatever you want based on your stamina and physique. Find the one that keeps you in high spirit and carry on with it. Be it Dancing, Zumba, Salsa, Workout or Intensive fitness regime, stick with it.

Let this lockdown do not result into unnecessary weight gain that you might regret later. Burning calories is important even now as well. Stick to your daily exercise routine and enjoy it. If you were not exercising previously, this is good time to go about. After all, once the lockdown is over, you would not prefer to look heavier. So, get excited to stay in shape.

4. Time to Learn the Long-awaited Skills!

Some of us are really keen to acquire new skills but for one or another reason, we cannot make it possible. If you are one of them, let this time be productive. Finding time in your routine life is a challenge itself. Thankfully, lockdown has made it easier for us. We can choose the skill we wish to learn and simply go ahead.

Browse the online courses and pick the one that goes well with your interest. This way, you will never be bored rather at the end of the day, you will feel more contended because you have spent time in learning something new. Learning keeps your mind active and makes you feel more confident. Happy learning ahead!

5. Luxuriate in Fond Memories!

Most importantly, keep yourself entertained the way you like the most. Play with children, cook with spouse or listen to the stories by elders at home. It is the time to look back at memories and relive those precious moments that you had spent with loved once. Take out the family album and see it with other members and feel the nostalgia. 

Who does not want to spend time with family? Well, the time is right here, make the most of it. Sit, talk, cook, listen and laugh together because it takes years to get your wish fulfilled of spending quality time with loved ones. Share ideas with each other and make every day count like you had never before.

This once-in-a-lifetime break awaits you to open your horizon! Are you ready for it?

A Visit to Meraki-An Artistic Affair!!

If you are wondering what took me so long to get back to my blog page, so am I. Honestly, there is no excuse for it because I was really looking for something unique to talk about. Fortunately, it came as a surprise to me in the first month of New Year 2020 when I got an opportunity to visit an art exhibition in Delhi.

‘Meraki-Creative Concepts’, the art exhibition was organized at Lalit Kala Academy in the heart of the capital city of India. It was 12^th January, I decided to visit the place with few close friends. It was a cold day for me and I made sure to wrap up myself before heading to exhibition. Within 1 hour, we did manage to reach there. What a wonderful place it was! Upon entering, we all were enthralled by the amazing art structures dotted all around. The Art Gallery was enveloped by trees and small and giant art structures.

I got to know about this exhibition from Ekta Kapoor, a great artist and to my delight, I got a chance to greet her right after I reached there. I was so excited to see Ekta after a long time and I could sense joy on the other side.

We made our way to Gallery no. 5 where Ekta started showing us her paintings. As we were moving ahead, our joy knew no bounds, looking at incredible art pieces. I must say it is really hard to understand the thought behind an artwork till you meet the artist who can explain you about them. 

So, we requested Ekta to share her idea about the paintings created by her. She shared with us how she got an inspiration for each painting and we were mesmerized by her story. Artists are truly gifted by God. I wonder how could they conceive an idea and draw it with brushes and make it a visual treat for art-admirers. Though we liked each and every painting exhibited over there but we were more impressed by those few about which we got to know by the artist because not everyone can understand art and so were we.

I am sure that there is a story behind every art piece created by artists. If you are lucky enough, you get to know about them. During my conversation with Ekta, I was surprised to know that each and every element in a painting signifies one thing or another.

Here I would like to talk about few paintings by Ekta Kapoor which I remember.

• A lady with a chameleon placed in her head indicate the emotional ups and downs. What a thoughtful depiction!
• A painting showing kettle overflowing with tea is a beautiful depiction of a common man’s everyday need. (We can’t ever think of it, hats off to the artist!)
• I spotted a sparrow in one of the paintings and upon asking the artist, I got to know that sparrows are being disappeared and we would be deprived of seeing them in future. (True, indeed)
• There was one painting of ‘Aladdin ka Chirag’ (that’s how we call it) that reminded me of our childhood days when we used to listen to stories by our elders.
• One painting that grabbed my attention had huge milk vessels which used to be a common sight for children but soon these will be remained in stories only.  

Then, we made our way to other paintings which left us awe-inspired. What a great amount of hard work and effort it takes, we cannot even imagine! We were in a different world altogether where art, tranquility and delight accompanied us. We had to leave after an hour due to another important commitment. But our heart and mind was so overjoyed on seeing the incredible artwork that we kept talking about the same the entire day.

At last, I thank you Ekta Kapoor from the bottom of my heart for this amazing experience. I am fond of art and love to witness such great creative work. I wonder when it had taken a backseat in my life while going with the flow of life. I am glad to get back to the lanes of creativity that keeps me blissful. I wish all the luck, success and blessings to you Ekta Kapoor! May God help you grow in coming years!

Dedicated to Eka Kapoor, who is very close to my heart!