Quarantine or Reverse Quarantine ...

Quarantine - imposed isolation. I doubt if this is how we would still define quarantine after this pandemic. This period of 'isolation' has meant different things for different people. For the most part it seemed to be an imposed time of self realisation. An imposed date with yourself . Which brings me to the question, Were we all quarantined from ourselves and our lives all this while, as we tried to keep up with the world? Is this actually reverse quarantine ? Here is a conversation with Arian Shahnavazy ...

 Ashwathi Mohan: Hey Arian, how has COVID 19 been for you ?

 Arian Mtp: It's been very bittersweet to be honest, on one hand the situation definitely throws life off balance (in terms of a work life and meeting with friends and family) but of course it's also given me an opportunity to work on things I've always wished I had the time for. What about you?

 Ashwathi Mohan: i couldnt agree with you more, on this situation being an opportunity to do the things that we have always wanted to do , but never had the time for . i think this holds true for a lot of people because In these past weeks i have seen a lot of social media posts and videos on people picking up new hobbies, learning to cook new recipes, reading books, home workouts and i could keep going.  with all these posts, i couldnt help but wonder if this is quarantine or reverse quarantine. Were we all quarantined all this while from not being able to do the things that we have always wanted to do , that now, its almost a release.

Ashwathi Mohan: I did notice that you were one of the very first  to jump at the opportunity and start work on all your projects!

 Arian Mtp: For sure, I think it reminded us what we are actually working for. I work for my freedom and then when I have that I will essentially buy myself time and buy the opportunity to do what I want. But I've just been given that opportunity to reset and evaluate and remind myself why I'm.working, to do what I'm doing now but after I've fulfilled my goals and im where I want to be career wise. This is like a taste of the future!

 Ashwathi Mohan: its perfect that you mentioned about our "why".   It is also true that the reason why we all work is also the one thing that we have to sacrifice the most . what do you feel about that ?

 Arian Mtp: Absolutely. Let's just go with the simplest answer of all. You'll always get people working for different reasons- their family, financial freedom, it could be anything but at the end of the day it all stems to one common denominator. We are all working for more time later for the thing we love the most. work hard now so in the times when everyone is working the hardest, I have my time to myself with the grind I put in!

 Ashwathi Mohan: so would you say, that invariably we are all just working for more time to be ourselves ? Because in that case if there s anything that we have all got during this pandemic is more time than ever.

 Arian Mtp: Exactly! And it's up to us how we want to use this time. It's crazy how much this free time (let's even assume it's only one month) can tell you about a person. Is it free time to do anything you want? Or free time to do something that you can take advantage of to better yourself. That said, fun is important and we should use this time to reset, but what about the other 10 hours of your day?!

 Ashwathi Mohan: Forsure, i really think of this time as a big reset. Time to reevaluate yourself, in terms of career and most importantly personal development.  The perfect time to change old habits, build new ones without affecting anything. as for the most part, we stay away from any change, even if for the better, with the fear of affecting our everyday routine. By the end of this quarantine there are going to be some of us who have warmed up and practiced enough that they are ready for the game and then some of us who are still trying to figure things out. and by the end of the day its all about just staying in the game. How would you say we can strike the balance in finding things to do that benefit us amongst the things we do just to kill time ?

 Ashwathi Mohan: Let me re-phrase that, how would you say we can make use of this "freedom" to do the things that we like while still staying in the game ?

 Arian Mtp: thats a tough question but id say just focus on the classic pros n cons constantly, like really really constantly. hey im about to do x does this make sense right now? or - when i could be doing this --> 

you will know in your core when you deserve free time and when theres something else that needs you. Just prioritize.

 Ashwathi Mohan: so trusting your instincts on doing what is right, while also networking with the right people to help you along the way. wonderful! being on the topic of reaching out, there s been many a time where the two of us have held each other accountable for various simple tasks or habits. self accountability i would say is key at this point in time, as much as having an accountability partner helps, the first step to that is always being self accountable.

 Arian Mtp: how do you find an accountability buddy?

 Ashwathi Mohan: Its simple, just find that one friend who always wants the  best for you . Share you goal and ask them to hold you accountable.  At most times just the fact that we have said our goals out aloud will automatically push us towards self accountability.

Before we wrap this up, if there s one suggestion that you would give everyone during this quarantine what would it be ?

 Arian Mtp: I dont think im the best person to give advice because i myself havent even gone the whole way yet! So instead of advice lets all support each other to hit these goals and get something done that eventually becomes a part of our everyday lives

 Ashwathi Mohan: Thats wonderful ! Cheers to getting through this together !