Just Kidding in the times of Covid-19

The new Covid-19 is not only costing livelihood but the precious lives too.

It’s sadness and depression in the air that is heavy with additional household responsibilities that work from home has bestowed upon us. Staying sane in this unfortunate situation is taking a toll on our mental health, isn’t it?

Staying strong and not losing our battles to this phase of sadness is important.

So, no more jokes apart – please joke around. Just kidding shouldn’t be just a phrase, please kid around. The world needs fun, the world needs peace, that’s what will help us stay afloat. That will help us hold the Fort.

Here’s this nice old song to make you feel high as a kite.

 

 

Getting fired: kick in the teeth

Getting fired is a grave disappointment, much like getting a kick in the teeth. There are times when you call for it, a lot of time you don’t deserve it. But, all you can do is, get up, dust off your clothes, wipe away the blood and get set in the sun again – never to enter those gates again.

By then, the workplace had become your second home, cafeteria – your very own lounge, and workstation – your PUBG arena. You get in a mood – won’t bat an eyelid if meteor hit the office, in fact you silently pray for it.

People sympathise, empathise which doesn’t really help! It makes you feel humiliated and embarrassed and worthless.

But people want to talk, they want to know the out-and-out of it. As if saying “Laid off” wasn’t self-explanatory. You tell them what the company told you before handing out your relieving letter,

“Operations will now need fewer people to run the show. You aren’t incapable and you didn’t do something wrong. It is just to bring down our burn rate because we are on our path to make our business stronger.”

Choked on your own tears, you go on to summarise this statement for them, “Cost-cutting equals profitability.”

You get to hear more condolences! But you don’t need that, what you need are the ways to come alive out of the shipwreck.

So, here are the ways to cope up with layoff, from the horse’s mouth

Take time, grieve, don’t force a smile: It is quite possible that you didn’t see the downsizing coming, unlike a deteriorating relationship. You come to office, everything is fine, and suddenly, by the end of day 20% of the company is being let go. It throws you into a spin, you aren’t able to process what just happened. The sinking feeling, the feeling of being rejected seeps in. Putting your brave face for the world can wait, take a little time to indulge in wallows.

Don’t take it personally: Undoubtedly, it hurts to know that despite working with complete dedication, no misbehaving, you’ve been let go. But thus difficult time isn’t a seal of disapproval on you or your value. Don’t let it obfuscate your vision. Leave everything aside, which is easier said than done, and get on the job hunting spree.

Relook at your finances: Revisit your current spending, tighten your belt to deal with the next few weeks of expenses without income.

Desperation won’t do any good: Don’t accept the first offer you get. Explore! It is understandable that you might be in the beggars-are-not-choosers situation, but it will restrict you from seeing the red flags in your current offer and working for the next viable opportunity. Be reflective about the next offer so as to avoid looking out for a job in another few months.

Dooriee…Sahi Jaaye Na

Kya tumne kabhi kisi se pyaar kiya? Kiya! Kya tumne kabhi kisi ko dil diya? Diya! Maine bhi diya… *woot woot*

Just thought of beginning it on a musical note…because what lies ahead in this post is sad, very sad. Keep your tissues ready, for the sobs and the tears that might trickle down your eyes.

But before that, allow me to thank my friends who forward me pehle-bhi-bohot-baar-forwarded jokes, chori ke quotes, cute puppies ke pictures and bhakti-bhaav wale good morning messages on whatsapp or facebook. Why? They are the ones who help me pass my time in the godforsaken journey from home to office.

Now you must be thinking, I really like such jokes and pics, hai na? And must have mentally prepared a list of things that you would want to forward me, hai na?

Bhaisaab…sochna bhi matt!

Unless you want yourself unfriended or blocked. Those who share with me those cute pictures and gazab ke philosophical quotes help me pass my time… Yep, I find them. And then I block them.

Lekin the point isn’t that I don’t like such stuff. The point is that I have ample time to read the jokes, look at the pictures, agree with the motivational messages and then delete them from my phone. It is after that I block those who send it to me! Reason, like I said, I have ample time while travelling!

Travelling to office, and office to home is an event in itself. My life can be summed up in three time frames – metro time, office time, sleep time. You pity me? Huh! Nikal jao yahan se. Ab kya insaan apna dukh bhi na baante

And commuting is a task, when you are alone or with a bad company. Could have better taken an off, no? Oopar se jaldi niklo office se, tab bhi ghar late hi pohonchoge! However, the delays aren’t usually your fault. But jam mein and metro ki bheed mein, it is you who’s stuck. That is when you realise phone na hota to kya hota aapka?!  Just plug in music, and transport yourself to a better planet.

For those who drive? Time waste, Fuel waste, Money waste…and when you got to drive through the traffic after a hard day at work, that is, Energy waste too. My sympathies, bro.

Now you know why most of us spend our weekends at home. Because too much travelling ho jata hai for five days in a week. Plus, the feeling of wasting the life in commuting is like a lump in the throat. What about YOLO?!