With all the free time the COVID-19 quarantine has forced upon us, thereâs a tendency to spend a lot of it daydreaming (especially if you live alone) about the day it all finally ends - seeing friends and family after perhaps the longest gap many of us have ever experienced, and hopefully planning the recovery party to end all recovery parties.

Right now though, weâre all on hold. Some of us have dealt with things by avoiding depressing news statistics, some of us have thrown ourselves into work-from-home cycles fearing the inevitable tide of layoffs and some of us are simply stuck in confusion.

As part of the latter, itâs not uncommon to find myself bringing up memories of life before quarantine, and how we took everything from football matches to family outings and even professional handshakes for granted. Hereâs a list of some of the things Iâve gone back to while stuck in lockdown - letâs see what you can relate to as well.

1. Crowds

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With everyone cooped up at home, our cities have turned into eerie, empty shells of what they once were.

2. Hugs

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A little physical appreciation goes a long way, especially in rough times. Itâs truly a shame that many of us will probably think twice even after all of this is over.

3. Dating

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I donât know about you guys, but love in the time of Corona has been pretty much nonexistent.

4. Personal Space

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Conversely, many of us at home with partners and family have suddenly been deprived of our me-time. Being stuck at home during a crisis undoubtedly leads to disagreements and arguments - without the space needed to maintain a healthy relationship, even the company we have can gradually become suffocating.

5. Travel

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Whether for work or for leisure, getting out and about - seeing the world is an absolute joy and necessity for many of us who love to travel. Right now, weâre unlikely to explore anywhere further than our apartmentâs gates.

6. Shopping

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Many of us enjoy a bit of retail therapy when we can afford it. Unfortunately, malls and shopping centres have turned into ghost towns all over the world across the last few weeks

7. Prayer and Worship

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While many of us couldnât care less, several others found comfort and peace in visiting temples, churches, mosques, gurudwaras and monasteries during tough times. Iâm sure weâre all praying for the virus to leave humanity alone, but for those with a religious bent, it isnât quite the same anymore.

8. Sports Events

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For many sports fans, their true religions - from football leagues to cricket tournaments - have vanished overnight with no clear replacement. 

9. Healthcare

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While falling sick is never fun, catching a minor bug can lead to massive anxiety and frustration, given how terrified we all are of catching COVID-19 symptoms. While weâve previously had few qualms when it comes to visiting a doctor, getting near a clinic or hospital these days can be downright scary.

10. Fitness

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Hitting the gym used to be a massive source of both mental and physical fortitude for us - one that weâve had to substitute with home workouts and other solutions that just arenât the same as busting out a weightlifting routine or working on your form with trainers and fellow gym-mates.

11. Movie Theatres

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How long do we have before the TV series binges get old? Not much Iâd expect - and for film buffs around the world, not having access to escape into the world of cinema at your favourite theatre can be downright heartbreaking.

12. Predictability In Everyday Life

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This one is perhaps a bit abstract, but several of us found comfort and confidence in maintaining a daily schedule of sorts - managing our lives around work, family and our own personal interests. With the pandemic surging on, many of these routines have shattered, leaving us to pick up the pieces and move on in a world where tomorrow seems quite uncertain.

13. Education

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While those of us with jobs have our own concerns to worry about, students donât have it much better either. Several examinations such as the 10th and 12th boards, key entrance exams and the day-to-day functioning of both minor and major universities have been hamstrung by the COVID-19 outbreak. Imagine taking out a student loan, and discovering that your first semester was spent relying on correspondence courses through the internet, rather than the education youâve actually paid for.

14. Dressing Up

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Sure you can try and pull off a good look while at home, but whatâs a nice outfit without a compliment or two from your friends, and the right place to pull it off?

15. Driving

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Perhaps Iâm speaking for myself (and a whole lot of motorheads) here, but putting my hands behind a steering wheel or a bikeâs handlebars was great fun and a spectacular way to unwind. Itâs even worse considering how traffic-free the roads and highways around us are today.

Weâre sure thereâs much more to feel nostalgic for. But, as the situation develops, weâll hopefully be back to enjoying these things again. Share some of the pre-quarantine things you miss in the comments!

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