Urvashi
We are in the second year of the pandemic, and this year only worse than the previous year. Every day is a struggle, and some of us have it worse, trying to rush to hospitals, grieving the demise of our loved ones, arranging for beds and medicines, and trying our every bit to save lives by sharing and retweeting leads. One thing that has been constant is the pressure being created to live as if the pandemic never happened. Offices and educational institutes working the same as before, expecting adherence to submissions and moving on with their day-to-day activities like the chaos around it does not exist. How can we break this toxic positivity around “productive“? Let’s have a look.
1. Be empathetic
When someone is unable to adhere to a certain deadline, be it work, an assignment, or anything for that matter, try to understand where that person is coming from. We are amidst a pandemic, and being productive at all times cannot be everybody’s priority at the moment. There are personal battles we all are fighting, and it is getting tough by the day. Having empathy towards each other is the least we can do. I have been witness to work and colleges pressuring and stressing people out. This pandemic and doing work from home is not a vacation that we have chosen, and keeping that in mind is important.
2. Ask people how they are doing
This three-word sentence has a greater impact on someone struggling than you realise. We all are in the same boat. If someone is not affected by the pandemic, they may be affected by something they don’t have the courage to talk about. Every now and then try to check up on people and ask them how they are holding up. Some people around you may also be grieving the departure of their loved ones, and saying things like “be positive, and you will come around” won’t do any good. Sometimes positivity can also be toxic, and many of us need to realise it.
3. Cut your people some slack
Mental pressure is building day by day. Our health is being exposed to new threats, and at this time all we can do is understand and support each other. While we need to stay active to maintain a structure in life and to be sane, restricting someone into a routine while going through such a rough patch can not only build up more stress for the concerned person but also make you look insensitive. Yes, we all have commitments to fulfill and finish our day with a hope of a new tomorrow, but this time we need to cut people around us some slack by not constantly calling them out to “stay positive” or “stay active.”
