The infamous 2020 lockdown has been, for the lack of a better word– interesting. Humans struggled and strived to take on the “new normal.” The pandemic was a catalyst that made young people everywhere temporarily move from their independent cocoons back to where they lived as tiny caterpillars. Nagging parents called out to their kids and suggested that they aren’t ready for this level of adulting (they were right). Bags were grudgingly packed. Supermarkets were raided to make favorite family recipes. You could almost hear the collective sigh of millennials saying goodbye to their bachelor pads.

The practical aspects of living at home seemed very appealing– not spending any money, avoiding the kitchen, and doing only a small set of chores. It was an honest chance to reconnect with family and hit snooze on the productivity alarm. Amidst the chaos that filled the globe, there was a sense of security that came from living at home.

However, not everyone was lucky enough to be in a conducive environment. Mental health cases were on the rise as people felt trapped. In such times came small glimpses of hope for some people. We curated stories of people who had wholesome family experiences to find that little ray of sunshine (which was rare to come by since we can’t really step out).

21-year-old Mira (name changed) moved back home a few weeks ago. She talked about how she got reacquainted with small-joys that come from living with family. “My family played rummy every single night for an hour during the lockdown. My dad used to cheat! He always tried picking extra cards, my mom would be yelling at him, and my brother and I just laughed until we couldn’t breathe. It felt really nice connecting with them for longer than a 10-minute phone call”.

But for some, spending time with their families came as a change that they didn’t know was needed. “I’ve been dealing with anxiety for a while now. I never let my mom see too much of it because I lived away and didn’t visit for more than a weekend at a time. The lockdown showed her how bad it can be. I didn’t know whether that was a good thing at first, but she was super supportive. Felt nice not having to constantly hide a part of me”, said a 23-year-old film professional on moving back to Pune from Mumbai during the lockdown.

And for some, moving back home became a revelation in understanding all that goes behind running a household. Aditya Jha, a Film & Television student who was sent home early from university, recounts his experience. “My mom got stuck at her parent’s house cities away. So, my dad and I had to take over all responsibilities. In the beginning, we were just trying to get along, but, over time, we really bonded. We divided chores, cooked together, watched a lot of nice movies, and had lengthy discussions about them. It was different, but it was so much fun”.

The Empty-nesters

Parents everywhere rushed to make sure that they didn’t lose out on an opportunity to feel needed. After all, their child was coming home after months of not eating right or taking good care of themselves- the situation demanded intervention! Soon, young people were stepping into a time machine and morphing into teenage versions of themselves. Screens were eventually replaced with actual conversations. Many parents, too, got a chance to reconnect with their kids.

“I spent 3 months alone right before the lockdown. My husband and kids were all in different cities. I was feeling terribly lonely. The lockdown was an unexpected blessing. Suddenly, the hustle-bustle of the house returned and how. Now, it doesn’t matter where they are. I was glad to get that time with them”, said a mother of three on coping with an empty nest all over again.

Covid-19 took our idea of mundane and pushed it from the 20th floor of a high-rise building. Looking back and acknowledging the small victories is what motivates us to embrace the new normal. The modern world is rested and rejuvenated. A lot of us have our homes to thank for that. There are so many people who didn’t get the chance to be with their families. If you were one of the lucky few who made it home, maybe it’s a time-out on that fight over the last slice of banana bread.