When H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni announced the first 14 days of total lockdown, I had written about re-adjusting our budgets and controlling our expenses since we were all uncertain about what will happen next.
Upon completing the 14 days on April 14th, 2020, the president extended the lockdown for another 21 days up to May 5th, 2020. This brings the total number of days that some people will remain at home with their families to 35. Some received news of the first 14-day lockdown with joy and others with sadness depending on what they were to use those days for.
During this lockdown, I personally believe you should take off time and do a self-audit. Ask yourself; how have the previous 14 days of lock-down impacted my life? How did I spend my time? What did I benefit? Aside the negative, what value has the lock-down period added to my life and my family? If you can’t find any positive responses to the above questions, you quickly need to establish a self-evaluation process inorder to get ahead of this global pandemic.
For example, if you didn’t bond with your family, venture into farming, teach something new to your children, start an online business, finish some home or office assignments, work on and supervise your home projects, revisit or evaluate your business/strategic plan, establish family alter, among others, then you fit well in the Luganda saying “toli mwaavu, omutwe gwo gwe mwaavu,” literally meaning you are not poor but it’s your head that is poor. If your time is spent sleeping, watching TV, and blaming government for one thing or the other; you lack focus, purpose and a strategic plan on how to thrive in crisis.
This should have been the best time to come up with an innovative idea that will remind you the best days you spent home during COVID-19.
Nevertheless, it’s not yet too late. We are not sure that the lockdown will only stop on May 5th, 2020 as this may depend on the situation.
This is another opportunity to do a self-reflection and ask yourself; how best can I utilize the 21 days? What if more days are added, what next for me? How will I spend this lockdown? What if my employer lays me off or my business collapses, what can I do? How will I survive? What good things can I do or start? What more activities/skills am I going to do with my spouse, children, family in this lockdown? Do I have some resources to sustain my family anymore?
Check your savings and investment habits. If a lot is desired, how will you improve in that area after this? How can you plan and save for emergencies/uncertainties? What new plans do you have for the future? At least have new life strategies. Think outside the box.
Don’t die in isolation. Be creative. Seek guidance from relatives, friends, experts or online on how to cope up with this situation. Share lessons with others on what they are learning and doing this period. If you are stressed or traumatized by the lockdown, seek counseling services.
In all, what life changing things are you doing in this lockdown which you will never forget?
Stay safe, Stay home
Seek God and trust Him for your protection and provision (Psalm 121).
Dickson is a child advocate, parenting coach, marriage counselor and motivational speaker.
tumudickson@gmail.com
