Written by Kavya BV | Reviewed By John Victor | Updated On October 1, 2022
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COVID-19: A New LifeLine
Pandemic! Yes, we all are going through this tough phase. People worldwide are experiencing the pandemic and are forced to accommodate many changes in life due to this deadly situation. With a great sense of uncertainty in the air, every person is striving hard to survive, if not to lead a life with basic comforts. When I look around, I can see many people who have lost their jobs, moved into smaller rented houses, or going back to their native, tears of the families losing their loved ones, drastically cut down on their expenses, and not able to meet their family & friends and facing numerous hurdles which we are witnessing right now.
At the same time, I also started watching these people open small grocery stores, cook food, and started small catering services to deliver food to homes, and started online classes on different activities like fitness and sports, art and crafts, dance, music, yoga, skill-based programs, etc. which were before offline. They did everything possible to earn a living and look after their families.
Covid not only impacted others' life but changed my life too, very drastically. I remember very well; March 2020 was my last working day at a Research Institute. We completed our project, and it was a celebration mode for our entire team and a stressor for me to look for a new job. I started enjoying the first few days at home, resting, relaxing, and simultaneously looking out for jobs. I did get a few job offers wherein I had to work at hospitals or travel out of the station for work, but due to the increasing number of Covid-19 Positive cases and the fear of my family members, I had to drop these opportunities.
A few months passed by, and I decided to continue my studies after almost 3 years of working in the Research Field. I was lucky enough to get enrolled in a Diploma course. During the lockdown, I got more time to spend with myself and my dear ones. My hobbies helped me to spend time happily and productively along with my studies.
One fine day, I felt I had to do something on my own with the currently available recourses. Slowly my hobbies turned into a small business, with a cute name, “GIGIL GREENS.” I am a passionate artist and created numerous art pieces, usually on special occasions, to gift to my loved ones. This used to give me immense joy and happiness (satisfied soul feeling). Last year, I gathered my courage and creativity, brainstormed with my family and friends, and started the groundwork to convert my interests and hobbies into a small business.
After 4 months of intensive groundwork, I launched GIGIL GREENS in JAN 2021, where I started selling my handmade products, natural flowers preserved in the form of bookmarks and notebooks, plants and planters, etc. As many are not able to go out and meet their friends on birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions, they came up with the idea of sending customized hampers during the lockdown period, which brought a smile to their faces when they received such a surprise from their special ones. The best part was the ‘summer camp.’ It was a treat for me to interact daily with the small kids and teach them art and craft online along with a taekwondo fitness coach were in the kids, and I personally enjoyed it a lot virtually.
I don’t think this would have been possible otherwise; Covid has been a blessing in disguise to start my own little venture, which makes me feel happy and proud. Hobbies can add a lot of meaning to your life and help you be focused. During this hard time, when I started reflecting on my hobbies, skills, potential, and capabilities positively and productively, this is where the optimism leads me to – A Mental Health Professional and an Entrepreneur.
“Optimism. It is not just a Mind-Set. It is Behaviour ”- Larry Elder
