Normal life has resumed. Many are already back to work by now so this post may be too late. But hey, every day is a chance to be grateful! So here’s a list of the little things (other than the obvious ones like family, friends, frontliners, health, job, shelter, money, and food) that I find myself appreciating more after spending almost three months at home: March-May 2020.
1. Internet speed
In the first place, I don’t know why we’re paying so much to our telco providers only to have a bare minimum Internet speed. Our neighbor, Singapore has at least twice the speed ok.
All this while, I could stand little laggings or buffers, but with WFH, it gets frustrating when you’re supposed to join Zoom meetings only to freeze in other people’s screens with weird facial expressions. Yup, happened to me few times. So now I’ve opted out from my current telco to a different one, although it costs me more. Hopefully this one is better.
Which makes me value internet speed so much! Please Malaysia telco providers, give us speed please!
2. Working from home culture
I’m a strong advocate of working from home since forever. WFH FTW! I’m in a line of work where physical attendance at work is sometimes not necessary. As long as I have my laptop and high-speed Internet, I’m good to go. However, I find that we, especially the employers, are not inclined to embrace the WFH arrangement. But as most of us are forced to work from home during this pandemic, I believe most of us may realize how cost-effective and efficient working from home can be.
So this is not a bad thing, people can see now that there are alternative options than rushing through the morning jam to get to work and sit in your cubicle 9 to 5. Hopefully.
More on this, in my post on WFH.
3. Technology
Depends on how you see it, might be negative or positive, we can always get ourselves occupied with technology at home – social media, Netflix, video calls, online classes, TV shows and the list goes on. Oh the viral Thermomix is also technology! It’s RM7k+ by the way. Gulp.
At the same time, I also wonder how would it be if there’s no technology. The thought that my brain might be able to calm down for once, and not frantically reaching out for my phone to fill in the few seconds silence, is actually comforting and welcoming.
4. Delivery services and drive-thru
This is the best. I don’t have to go any further with this. Thank you to whoever came up with the idea of delivery services and drive-thru! Those who are risking their lives doing these services during this pandemic, thank you!
5. Physical and e-books
I used to read physical books only. The smell, the texture, the weight – ahh love them. However, books are expensive. So sometimes it’s convenient to get e-books. Well, I don’t recommend this for ethical reasons, but there are so many e-books or books in pdf form available online, for free!
Be it physical or e-books, I’m thankful for every creative and brilliant writer out there for making my small world seem bigger and wider and brighter. Especially when our world now is limited by walls around us and the trips to work and for grocery shopping.
6. Sharing sessions and webinars
Don’t you think people are sharing more knowledge and information these days? What used to be paid events in fancy conference halls are now available and accessible for free. When this is over, I really don’t mind paying for webinars if I find them beneficial because it’s much more convenient than having to dress and drive myself to the venue.
7. Good eyesight
With sadness I share that I’m now kinda depending on glasses full time to see clearly, even at home. My eyesight got poorer during MCO, perhaps too much screen time. Haaa, how I value good eyesight!
8. Comfy home clothes
For the months that I stayed at home, I think I have only like 5 outfits on repeat, day and night. Of course, they’re the most worn down ones in my closet. Which means they are sooo comfortable to wear at home. I don’t know what’s the correlation but seriously, the more worn down the shirt, the comfier they get. Hypothesis accepted.
It also got me thinking why do we spend so much on clothes all this while?
Live for the little things
This is indeed a difficult time to live in and perhaps too much to take for some. So why not we take it one little thing at a time. Look around you, there must be something… even just one thing… that you are grateful for. Live for that.