​We are living in challenging times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When our personal and professional lives are turned upside down, it is hard to keep ourselves focused and inspired. It is hard not to be distracted by the saddening daily news, and to avoid the looming uncertainty around us.

All of us are struggling in our own ways to keep up with the challenges presented to us by the virus. We can only schedule our lives just for days, but not for weeks or months simply because we don’t know what reality is going to unfold next. And how. Are the current mitigation measures going to be lifted by the middle of this month? Will there be a decline in the infection and death rates of the COVID-19 in an immediate future? Will it be likely to resume some sort of normalcy by the upcoming summer? The simple answer to these questions is: we don’t know.

While all around us is a cloud of uncertainty and unpredictability, it is important to find a bit of inspiration, a bit of enthusiasm, a bit of hope, and a bit of connectivity. While we are forced to keep the physical distance between each other to avoid the further spread of the virus, making a continuous connection with society, nature, and our own mind and body has never been more important. In an era of physical distancing, it is crucial that we maintain our social ties in ways that are safe.

Spring blossom in the front yard of our apartment building in Burnaby.

I am sure you all are using your own strategies to keep yourself motivated and inspired in these trying times. Here are a few things that I have been doing to help myself stay positive, calm, and inspired:  

1. Sensory walk

The sensory walk is not just a regular walk. It’s a walk that involves multisensory engagement and awareness. Whether it is a walk just to a nearby park or to a grocery store, you are guided by these questions: What do I see? What do I hear? What do I smell? It is a great way to experience and understand the ecology and environment using our multiple senses. I have done a few of these walks with my 6-year old daughter, and I can assure you that in doing so I have gained different perspectives about my physical and social surroundings. If you want to challenge yourself more during your sensory walks, add some of the wondering questions: why, how, when, etc.

A shadow of myself and my daughter while on a sensory walk in Kensington Park in Burnaby.

2. Follow inspiring public groups in social media

Joining social media groups that are helping spread a positive message is a great way to stay inspired and engaged. It could be an art group or a public social media platform that posts inspiring messages of positivity, hope, and love. Here at Simon Fraser University, there is a new initiative called SFUinThisTogether where members share the messages of hope, support, love, and positivity by making inspiring posts to the group. I recommend you for joining it if you haven’t already.

3. Indoor gardening

One of the ways through which I find a positive vibe daily is by taking care of my indoor plants. I check their water level, I transfer their spots depending on sunlight, I take off their dead leaves, and I occasionally clean and change their pots. In doing this, I not only find joy but also get to know the importance of small steps that are crucial to care and life.

4. Photography:

I love photography not just as an art form, but also as a way of learning and understanding the worlds around me. It is almost impossible for my day to go by without me taking a photo. I capture photos of almost everything: from my daughter’s toys to indoor plants to the outside world.  

5. Art activities:

As a parent to a 6-year old, I engage in collaborative artworks with my daughter as a part of the teaching-learning process. Since her school closure due to the mitigation measures taken by the province of British Columbia, we have worked on several art projects, and I have found the process very healing and inspiring.  

I look forward to hearing from you about how you are keeping yourself inspired, and positive and hope that you are staying safe, and healthy.

Best,
Bicram Rijal

Note: All photos are my own. You can follow my website to see more of my work.