My three-minute fix

A small moment of respite in a rather long lockdown!

“There’s so many wars we’ve fought
There’s so many things we’re not
But with what we have,
I promise you that
We’re marching on, we’re marching on."

I rolled down the windows of my Dad’s car, the crescendo beat picked up, and my brother and I sang at the top of our voices, uncaring of how off-beat we sounded.

The days I felt lost and lonely, I can’t remember if I didn’t achieve what I hoped I would, or if it was just an off day, I smiled when I heard those lyrics.

Today, as I stare at the death toll that’s climbing and read horror stories, facts far scarier than fiction, I still listen to this song and I’m filled with hope, for a better day. When people aren’t separated from their loved ones. When people who love the outdoors, aren’t caged within four walls.

My uncle says that he likes to call this generation ‘The Maggi Noodle generation’. We love a fast undertone to life. We are the generation of fast food, big data, fast relationships. A word that is clickbait for our generation is a time constraint – Learn Spanish with only ten minutes practice a day, bake a cake in twelve minutes, tone your arms in five. 

And being forced to slow down…it’s a learning experience. The day I was told that I’d be at home for much longer than I’d planned to, I felt the panic rising. Slow, bubbling anger and dismay. I’m well aware that I am one of the luckiest people in the current scenario, with people being displaced from their homes, grappling with their health and living in economic uncertainty. The logical part of my brain was in full grasp that my sadness was irrational, unfair even and yet, you can’t help how you feel. We aren’t rushing through the days from one cup of coffee to the next, but we’re forced to slow down. To think about our lives, to ‘make the best of it’. And I try, I really do. I’m sure you do too.

And no matter how hard I try, I have my good days and bad, but every day I put on my headphones and crank up the volume and listen to this song. And somehow, each time I feel the endorphins rush and for those three minutes, I am happy. Whether it’s because it brings back memories of a simpler time, whether it’s because of the incredibly positive lyrics, or whether it’s a beautiful symphony of both, I had found my fix. And it sounds small, almost inconsequential. But these little moments are what get you through the tough times. Having a little respite, a small escape to that drives the dopamine through your vessels and lifts your mood even for a little while, is a huge boon. It can help you move mountains, cross any ocean.

So, I hope you find your ‘three-minute fix’, whether it’s your favorite song, a glass of wine, a good book or some extra sleep. Find what keeps you up in these trying times.

No matter what, we have put one foot in front of the other and just keep marching on.