Many were devastated when their workplaces shut down temporarily. They were furious and anxious.

I wasn’t surprised. Of course, they need money. Their loved ones depend on them.

What’s surprising was when they said that they felt empty, restless, and bored (despite the fact that they’re healthy, they still have enough money, and they have access to Internet and different sources of entertainment).

Aren’t they suppose to be less stressful now that their jobs or businesses shut down temporarily? For me, that means more time for music, reading, and writing. But that’s me. I may be different.

At first, I thought it was just their anxiety. It’s hard not to feel anxious these days. This pandemic is scary.

But over the weeks, I’ve come to realize why:

The reason they feel empty, restless, and bored is because they don’t know what to do anymore.

They are so used to doing what they do they can’t imagine themselves doing other things.

For them, living is working and working is living. No boundary.

On the other hand, there were people who did the opposite. They started doing things outside their work. They got back to their hobbies.

They understood that the shut down is temporary. Sooner or later, things will be back to normal (hopefully).

I want to believe that there is no right or wrong about how we use our time during the lockdown. Everyone thinks differently. But it’s sad to know that there are people who fall victim. They think life is over without their jobs or businesses.

If you’re one of them, try to see your situation from a different point of view.

Maybe this loss is an opportunity to do something different — something more meaningful, or fun!

Adapt and move on. There’s more to life than your work.

PS: I’m one of those people who still have a job despite the crisis. And I am grateful for that. But I’m thinking, what if I suddenly lose my job amidst these challenging times? Will I feel empty, restless, and bored too?

Stay safe.