Now, I can as easily come up with 10 bad or stupid things about lockdown 😛. And I’m by no means writing this to advocate lockdown! No way.

I just happen to recall one of the group zooms last year, where we were going around to share 1 good thing about lockdown.

So anyway, I am thinking instead, here’re 10 for you 😀

1. More time

For many people I’m sure. For me, no commuting to / fro work. And also save expenses on travel, and food and stuffs.

More time to sleep in too, which I’ve enjoyed for sure! 😴😴

Of course more time is a good thing, but it may become a bad thing depending on how you use it.

2. Learn to use time well

If there is a time to learn to use time well, I think COVID lockdown will be it.

I have heard many who have found 2020 to be a year they have benefited much in personal growth because of how they chose to use their time. While others have gained COVID kilos, they have developed good habits over the months (it could be both too, they’re mutually exclusive haha). With things easing now, there’s in fact a worry they may be lost in all the busyness that picks up again.

3. Know self better

Some say nothing much has happened in 2020 as it’s just mostly spent at home. That is true in one aspect. But even as no much is happening visibly in terms of activities and events, much may have happened within oneself (I believe it has, in every year, and 2020 is no exception).

Whether you’re busy out and about or you stay in your basement all year, changes within oneself take place regardless of how spectacular or uneventful the experience itself is.

In my opinion, 2020 is a revealing year. If for nothing else, I think it’s taught us about ourselves as we’re forced on mass to live very differently than we’d choose for ourselves. My reactions and responses tell something I might not have realised too well about myself before. That’s definitely been true for me.

4. Reconnect

Especially with friends outside of Melbourne!

Since I was at home and meeting people online, I was then as far from people in Melbourne as I was with others in Sydney or Singapore. So connecting online with friends elsewhere started to happen.

5. Time of testing

What’s so good about time of testing? Well, only then you’ll know what you’re made of.

Many struggle in different ways to varying extent, but it is perhaps then you realise what you’ve got – in yourself, family and friends, or in God.

6. Learn about others

As an extension to what’s said earlier, it is a revealing time not only for yourself, but I think it also teaches you about others.

In some ways, when you don’t see them, you see them better.

7. Cultivate quietness

There’s only so much distractions and noise you can fill your days with when you’re at home all the time. Even in Netflixing or Disney+ing, you’ve got to take a break!

Somewhat related to an earlier point of using time wisely, most I’ve heard who have benefited from the lockdown in their personal life is due to their cultivating fruitful time of quietness i.e., not in an empty meditation about nothing, but in filling their minds with what is true, good and beautiful.

I think it’s a discipline worth keeping because we’ll come to need it sooner or later. It’s a kind of good habit that takes time to develop but from which you’ll continue to reap benefits long term.

8. Learn thankfulness

Not only sleep in, I even have time each morning to go out to the balcony for a few minutes. I started to notice the skies and trees and birds (I’m not living in the forest if you’re wondering hahah 😝).

Some days the sun is shining gloriously in the clear blue sky, another day it’s so cold and cloudy.. So you’re thankful it’s not like that everyday!

Likewise I can also be thankful for the many past and present blessings, before lockdown and during lockdown too.

9. Gain perspective

I said I noticed the birds 🐦🌥🦅☁, either in lovely formation or scurrying for cover from the storms hahah 🤣

One morning I thought to myself, it must be rather quiet where that bird is high up in the clouds. At the same time, the world was so noisy down here, the society was going crazy, and perhaps even within ourselves we sensed that turmoil that won’t settle.

So I may think I’m the centre of all existence or get agitated all over something. No matter. The reality is, just a few kms up, it is all quiet. And it’s not just a few kms, if you extend your eyes and mind beyond the horizon, how much quieter is it out there? Therefore, in a very real sense, I’m insignificant in the whole scheme of things. So tiny and small, yet the God who brought all things into existence and governs them is my Father who cares for me and doesn’t count me insignificant. That is a grounding thought.

10. Learn to struggle well

Not to run to others too quickly.

There is a time to call for help, but there is also a time to wrestle yourself (at least initially). Learn to tolerate unpleasant feelings, recognise they come and go.

As I’ve read, and it’s true –

The hard things are not meant to mar our life – they are meant to make it all the braver, the worthier, the nobler. Adversities and misfortunes are meant to sweeten our spirits, not to make them sour and bitter.

J.R. Miller, 1908.

11. Stretch creativity

Besides struggling well, it is all the better if in the midst of it you may remain useful and look out for others.

With the lockdown situations, it provides opportunities to practice loving others creatively. For example, some have baked cookies and drop off at their friends’ houses (and share COVID kilos hahah 🤭). Simple things like that which may brighten someone’s day..

Alright, that’s actually 11 things. Well, I got carried away, so the last one is a bonus for you 😬

In fact, now that I’ve started writing, the flow of thoughts keeps on going! – so I may write up another piece soon if time permits.

So long for now 👋