Monday, 04 October 2021 | Aditi Arora
GUEST COLUMN
Aditi Arora
Nation building isn’t pretty, and recent events have probably made the larger population believe the same. Innumerable lives were lost till it was realised by the resource keepers that healthcare provisions should be made much in advance to preserve lives and keep the sovereignty of a so-called healthcare system. But in the current scenario we are undeniably headed towards a mental health epidemic. This is one perspective and it may sound convenient to now start blaming the novel coronavirus for all the problems we may have been harbouring since a long time. Could it be possible that this ‘pause’ has only acted as a trigger to already existing anomalies in ourselves, as a race and our burdening mentalities?
Due to the pandemic there has been a significant rise in screen time in most populations. In a country like India, it may prove to be way more detrimental compared to other cultures. The hypothesis that I am beginning to draw is that the quality of content may be a massive factor of influence of most family constellations. Our cozy, well knit family structures that were pillars of strength emotionally and back bone of the economic system are now handful and geographically specific i.e we may find more joint family businesses run in Gujarat and Rajasthan as compared to Delhi and Odisha.
The same change we see in cinema- our most crucial influencer of the century. The depictions of unattainable, grand and luxurious weddings in Bollywood movies have led many to take large sums of loans, which remain unpaid. The concept of “Hum Saath Saath Hain” has vigorously disappeared and has given way to estranged couples in lonely unconnected marriages, which is on the rise. Stand alone cinematic experiences like ‘Thappad’ are being aggressively appreciated and identified with. Before I be trolled and judged let me safeguard myself and say that I am all for women’s rights and equal pay but that alone does not explain and represent me. The crucial question is how far will we allow ourselves to be influenced by our screen time? Have we lost our emotional compass that we would be led so much so by a virtual world that does not even exist in a parallel universe?
Taking a more psychological perspective, I feel that the pause we all have suffered and may be subjected to when the possible third wave hits us is that while we protect ourselves from the virus by taking all precautions, and once we do find that we have escaped being infected and remain indoors, waiting and healthy, I passionately prescribe that as a people we indulge in self reflection. We get into the practice of SWOT analysis, introspection and a peek into our indoors. There are other cultures who despite their vices have an in-built organised self reflection period such as Japan and the Natives of America. They felt that there was a need to glorify and highlight these so called ‘pause’ periods in our lifetime, as they were a symbol of renewal, refreshing and reviewing our lives lived so far. It was believed that when the person came out of this very contrived self reflection, they had resolved much and understood the concept of being in harmony within themselves.
There is no doubt that our inner world reflects our outer world, but how often do we take onus for the storm in our lives? An upheaval in our lives should be an indication of encouragement to take a journey with ourselves. If our culture begins to systematically do the ‘pause’ and appreciate it, we have the potential to reach and realise untouched potentials. Many schools of thought believe that the pandemic is a reflection of our collective karma, and be that as it may, should it not be we who find a way out of this one? A high rise in psychosomatic illnesses has been recorded by healthcare workers across the nation- constant IBS, headaches, migraines, cramps etc. When leads to no definite diagnosis are clumped under a psycho-somatic response, it is a representation of our psychological health. Hypochondria is also on the rise among the youth who unconsciously are finding themselves sucked into the virtual realities, in turn isolating themselves from meaningful human contact and touch.
Before my piece of words takes you into an unknown trail of feeling dismal, I hope it proves to be more of a wayshower that external wealth and prosperity may not always be a sign of a beautiful mind. Pandemic or no pandemic now is the time to bring about crucial changes to our routines, thought processes, actions and culture, not only to self preserve but to be a portrayal of the flourishing ones, inside and out. Constant check-ins with our kindness quotient, generosity of spirit, patience and reverence are just the very small things that can lead you into creating a safe inner climate for yourself. Once we find ourselves being sovereign, we will create potent and contributing relationships too.
All this may sound too much of a process but everything is, nature teaches us the same. Indian family structures, which firstly led us into this discussion of taking the pause: the present couple constellations seem heavily consumed by celebrity status, be it emotional, economical or relational. Social media will from now on play its number but it is us who have to decide our boundaries and plan our digital detox. If we learn to create some good distance from the virtual world, it will not lead us to our roots but help us build coping abilities needed to deal with everyday challenges of a developing nation. Let us welcome our pauses, our rests in order to invite our rise.
(The author is a Dehradun based psychotherapist trained at the University of Vienna. The views expressed are personal)
