A hard lesson learned

How have you adapted to the changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic forced me to adapt in ways I never imagined. I was overworked and relied entirely on a single source of income, never considering what would happen if it disappeared—until it did. Overnight, my world crumbled. Sleepless nights, overwhelming stress, and unbearable pain became my new reality.

Desperate to find relief, I turned to online meditation classes, practicing them non-stop just to calm my mind. But as I struggled to regain stability, I realized my industry had moved on without me. It had become a space for the young, leaving no room for someone like me. No matter how much experience I had, I was no longer welcomed back.

With no other option, I was forced to think differently about my future. Instead of clinging to an industry that had shut its doors on me, I shifted my focus inward. I immersed myself in audiobooks, practiced Isha Center exercises religiously, and worked on rebuilding my mental and physical health. But my struggles weren’t just financial or emotional—they were spiritual as well.

Two days ago, I found sand in my left ear. I cleaned it out, thinking nothing of it. But today, the same gust of evil wind entered my ear again. A chill ran down my spine. It felt unnatural, as if something was forcing its way inside me, trying to destroy my thoughts, my strength—my very being. I had experienced unexplained disturbances before—feelings of déjà vu, relentless weakness, and an overwhelming sense of being drained. But this was different. It felt like a deliberate attack, as though someone was trying to extract my energy, my will to live.

The pain became unbearable, spreading from my back to my hips, down to my knees, until standing became a struggle. I realized then that never trusting an employer to secure my future was just one lesson—another was protecting myself from unseen forces that sought to break me.

WeThe journey was brutal—hospital visits, self-doubt, and the fear of losing myself completely. But I fought back. I refused to let circumstances define me. I took control of my well-being, physically, mentally, and spiritually. If you’re facing hardships, know this: adversity can either break you or push you to rise. Choose to rise.