Written by: Jeya Sheila

Beyond My Comfort Zone

If you asked me a month ago, I would have said that I have never thought that I would write an article such as this for my organization. Well just to be frank with you, I would have not done many other things that I had done in the past few weeks.

This year I celebrated Good Friday alone, celebrated Easter through WhatsApp video call with my siblings/nieces, and for the first time, I felt the holy month was intense, filled with emotional thoughts mostly. The last one month being under the government’s Restricted Movement Order (RMO), is something I have never experienced in my 45 years of life, I guess no one in my age group would have. Honestly, when RMO started I was very hopeful and thrilled, as days unfolded my anticipation started to deteriorate. I remind myself one thing, whenever I go to the rock bottom “just be hopeful”.

If it were not for hope, the heart would break – Thomas Fuller

6 Way of How to be Hopeful 

I practice the following to keep my candle of hope burning. You could try whichever suggestions suit you best to keep your Hope on a high note, during the RMO time period.

1. Gratitude. I practice the prayer of gratitude before bedtime and once I am awake. I thank God for simple things like my health, food, work, and so on.
2. Mindset. Nothing lasts forever. I remind myself of this a couple of times in a day. I keep my mindset positive by checking my thoughts and speech.

Keeping my day exciting

3. To-do list. I divide my daily to-do list into 4 areas – work, family, entertainment, and house chores. This allows me to look forward to different activities throughout the day
4. Something new. To spend time doing one activity that is new at least twice a week. As simple as cooking a new dish or learning a new skill.

Keep it going ……..

5. Biographies. I read biographies to remind myself of the hardship leaders have gone through to bring change that we have today.
6. Build a relationship. I make sure that I call one of my family members/friends every day and tell them how much I love and miss them to remind myself of all the people who love me.

You are not alone

I keep telling myself that this is a global pandemic and in this journey, I am not alone. It’s ok to sometimes feel overwhelmed with the situation because what I am experiencing is not normal. I keep reminding myself to step out of my comfort zone and keep adapting to the challenge. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s going to be ok. I hope some of the suggestions based on what I do, will help you to be hopeful during this RMO. Don’t let the pandemic defeat your HOPE.