How Covid-19 Affected me

I was supposed to go on a boys' trip with a few of my pals for a couple of weeks in April, then covid-19 struck and the world eventually went into shutdown (at least for tourism sector/ people movement). Within a short span of a month, my office went into full WFH mode, government did a lockdown (except that we can still get essentials) but all outdoor activities had to cease.

Within two weeks, I realized that I wasn't the geeky kid I used to be anymore. I cannot stand long hours of being at home, missed my twice a week basketball sessions, my noisy crowded gym, the local pubs and the feeling of dining out.

I am not too sure if it is due to the sudden and arbitrary shift from a certain office worker's routine to a stayhome worker. Or am I too used to my comfort zone and identity in my daily life. Certainly, being rung up for extra on site duties to keep users safely distanced irked me. Thoughts of "if I am able to retire right now, would it make me much happier knowing the certainty of tomorrow"?

I guess the uncertainty is the part which makes all decisions hard, I dare not begin a new game despite spending more hours at home as I wont know when I will be called up for duty. I dare not commit to a home gym as i wont know when this Covid-19 Situation ends. I prefer the gym I frequent, on saturdays it is not so crowded.

But with every crisis comes opportunities, the sacrifices I made over this period shall endure and become the foundation of my future success. For example, stocks are at multi-year lows, and new biz ideas are being generated constantly. Humans are a tough bunch, and i hope this time we prevail too.

I do hope i get to fly by this December. 

Recently, I have read a book title "Whisky . Japan" and it inspired me to plan for  a whiskey distillery trip in Japan.

While planning , reading and stuff I chanced upon some old libraries around the world and I thought wow maybe I should do a library tour too. Library of Alexandria, Harry Potter library etc etc..

So there.. in case I forgot Whiskey Tour and Library Tour

Recently I feel that I am on the brink of evolving or growth. I have plenty of thoughts and ideas, most of which I have not panned out the execution portion of them.  I feel that there is a need to pen down my thought process and perhaps one day it will become a great business idea, a good nugget of information or just laugh it off at my younger self's thoughts.

Work is definitely getting busier ever since I decided to gun for a promotion. But at times I wonder if the extra hours and effort is worth the end rewards? Although my organization is a stable paymaster and compensation packages are fairly good (especially during bad economic climate) the scope of work I am doing does not seem to propel me for future growth. Nor do I feel that it is able to link me up with the future opportunities and trends.

I must remind myself to read broadly and selective in the way I spend my time, should I wish to be able to stay healthy and enjoy ample time to pursue the things I truly love.

Hopefully, before age 45 or so I would be able to reach my goals and embark on my new phase of life.