On why it’s important to be grateful, and never skip a workout
I have a confession to make. There are a couple of Instagram accounts I stalk on the regular, and Roohi Jaikishan’s is one of them. Now before you go and try to see what she’s up to, I must warn you, her account is private. But what I can tell you, is, her insta stories of what her friends and family around the world are cooking / eating daily serves as fodder when I’m feeling uninspired in the kitchen during the lockdown. Sometimes it’s baked samosas in Jeddah, hand tossed pizza in New York, pancakes in Mumbai, handmade gnocchi in Geneva or more often than not what she’s rustling up in her own kitchen will have you craving the unexpected. The Executive director at RR Oomerbhoy Pvt. Ltd, Jaikishan has always been fashion and lifestyle inspiration as she manages to tow the line between minimal and maximal quite effortlessly but now we’re also witness to her culinary skills. Here’s a peek into her lockdown life –unfiltered, honest and positive:
“Surprisingly, I am very productive and busy. The rules of engagement have changed – whether it’s at work or running a home. The first three weeks of lockdown were the most difficult to get the ‘virtual office’ running and truing to change the mindset of colleagues and staff was extremely challenging. Now there seems to be a rhythm and at home a slow and comforting routine.”
“Sounds cliched but strength lies within us and our minds. More importantly I am extremely grateful that I am with my family and that our colleagues, staff and friends are all safe and healthy. Being grateful makes you look at whatever you are going through with a more positive perspective. The human mind is complex but has innate ability to stay positive, it’s a survival instinct. Having said that I’ve had my moments of anxiety, but you learn to work at it.”
“I am doing so many things that I’ve never had the time to do before. I always thought I’d cook, and I’ve found that baking has been intensely therapeutic for me. The micro details of measuring, mixing and voila! the most delicious result. It gives me joy. I’ve also been making cocktail napkins, cross stitching initials for my friends as gifts. I’ve been reading a lot more too.”
“I never skip a workout, it keeps me balanced and helps me stay positive. In fact, the whole family has a workout schedule around the same time, we motivate each other!”
“I would’ve never imagined a world like we are living in right now, neither of us could have, honestly. One would think, and I always thought, that creativity comes from experiences, travel – often a scene that you observe at an airport or a street or a station… and here I am in my 8 th week of lockdown and my mind is as creative as it was. I still have all those beautiful experiences soaked up in my head. I’m currently reading The Makioka Sisters a novel by Jun’ichirÅ Tanizak, The Education of an Idealist by Samantha Powers and Live Beautiful by Athena Calderone. I’m also making the most of this time to watch French and Italian films on MUBI and binge watch on Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hotstar. Plus, I’ve been brushing up on my French thanks to Duolingo!”
