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Writer's pictureMaria Monem

Making the most out of lockdown

Updated: Apr 9, 2020

Imagine that 6 weeks ago, I drove my kids to school in the morning and went straight to the gym for my body combat class to then spend the rest of my day going to meetings, go to the mall, go out and have lunch, meet with friends, get my work done, study in my favorite café.


I was running from one place to another to get everything done before I had to pick the kids up from school again. Those were the days before the Corona virus hit Dubai. It was only 6 weeks ago…

Life as we know it has completely changed since then. Dubai is now on complete lockdown. The boarders have closed, there is no traveling in our out, restaurants, gyms, malls, parks and even the schools have closed for the time-being.


We are home-schooling our children. To go outside we wear face-masks and gloves and we live our lives indoors and in our gardens if we are lucky enough to have gardens.


The situation is surreal, I feel like I am part of an apocalypse movie, it is scary and unsettling not knowing when things will go back to normal, I am also amazed at how we have all adapted to this way of living in such a short time.


We don’t have a choice of course but still. I am home-schooling my kids, never ever did I see that coming.


We are making history, all my life I heard stories about wars and historic events that happened way before my time or in other parts of the world but this event will also make history. One day our children will tell their children about this time. We are all part of this and it is scary as… but hopefully it will go away as quick as it came and our lives will go back to normal.


Reality is that my normal, is extremely hectic. I rush through my days to manage everything and to tick of my to-do-list but by the end the day I have more things to do for the next day. Obligations and musts until I crash out on the sofa at night. I always complain that I don’t have time for this, I don’t have time for that. I need a holiday from life…


Well here it is!


Since I can’t change what is happening around me right now, and we just have to wait this thing out I am taking a vacation from my normal life to make the most of this time.

OK I have to home-school my kids but I have decided to take it easy on them, my children are not going to fail school because we didn’t do the homework on time.


Cooking, I have forgotten how to enjoy cooking over the years but now that I have had more time to explore new things, I have started enjoying it again and we are trying lots of new recipes and the whole family is involved.


Cleaning, eeeah – another must but maybe during this time we just accept that the house will be a bit messier than normal.

These are my 3 daily must-do’s but the days are long and I have some extra time now.


Think about all those things you always wanted to do but never have time for..




  • Reading

  • Painting – We can learn new techniques on YouTube (Thank God we have internet in these times)

  • Coloring in (Adult coloring books, very relaxing, it is like meditating)

  • Learn a language on Duolingo (I am learning Spanish right now)

  • Take an online course (lots of free ones out there)

  • Write that novel you always wanted to write but never started.

  • Revive Poetry, learn how to write poems.

  • Play games with the kids

  • Sorting out cupboards, wardrobes and declutter.

  • Do Yoga or Pilates via YouTube

  • Cook and bake (Set up an Instagram account with your creations, involve the kids.)

  • Create a family photo collage or photo album

Now is the time to make the most of not being so busy all the time. The pace of life has slowed down, the world is quiet. We don’t know how long this will go on for, so make the most of it.


I am going to focus on the things that matters the most to me and take advantage of this time to create amazing memories and stories with my family. I am so grateful that my family is healthy and safe and I feel very lucky that I get to spend this time with my three favorite people in the world. My husband and my two little munchkins.


Keep calm, stay home, enjoy the time with your family and recharge your batteries, life will soon be back to normal.

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