We’ve asked some of our Asian Studies faculty, staff and students to share their experiences on working from home. Akhil Dattani-Jobanputra, Program Assistant at the Centre for India and South Asia Research, knows you should never underestimate the ability of a carefully-curated playlist for each task…
What are some problems you may have encountered during the transition to remote working?
- I think the biggest challenge has been that because various parts of our lives are changing around us at such a fast pace, it is hard to keep up with various assignments and tasks. Working from home, there are so many distractions, and having to keep up with everything changing around you on top of that results in a lot of chaos. Despite the circumstances, I’m thankful to be able to transition to working online and to continue my work.
How did you cope with the problems to ease the transition?
- I have different music playlists for different purposes. I have different ones for completing schoolwork, remote working for my jobs, cooking, and relaxing. Having these different soundscapes help me feel like in a different environment, and they also change my frame of mind.
Describe one new thing (skill, interest, pastime, etc) you may have learned during the quarantine time
- I’d say the biggest skill I’ve been acquiring due to quarantine is the ability to host my music lessons and events online. Zoom and I have become close friends!
Any medium (music, books, cooking recipe, etc.) you could recommend that you’ve found relaxing/entertaining recently?
- I’ve been getting into colouring recently, which I haven’t done since I was in high school. Indian classical music has always been a big part of my life and it can be very contemplative, but for work and school purposes I’ve been listening to lofi beats tracks.
During this time, have you sought/found any words of wisdom or quotes from your particular language area/culture/background that you have found to be particularly comforting, and could share if so?
- Spending a lot of time alone at home has allowed me to meditate more. One of my favourite quotes of all time is “Aham Brahmāsmi” which comes from the text called the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad. It means “I am the Ultimate Reality”, and I reference the quote frequently to help guide my meditations. It carries different philosophical contexts, but the reason why it’s a quote I’ve found comfort in right now is that it illuminates that we all have the same capacity for oneness and realization within ourselves. In a time when we’re all separated from each other, and structural discrimination, racism, and death prevail, it’s an important thing to realize and cultivate.
As a thank you for your time in answering these questions, is there anything personally you’d like to promote or let everyone know about right now?
- As a musician myself, these times can be trying for those of us who rely on gig or teaching income to sustain themselves. Please support your local artists and arts and culture organizations. If you have extra time on your hands at home, now’s a great time to start learning how to paint, sing, or dance!
To read more Inspiration in Isolation stories, click here!
