A day in the life of Parsons Paris student Araz Yaghoub Nakhjavan Tapeh (FD ’22) in quarantine
“These are challenging times” is a phrase that I’ve been hearing very often lately. I unfortunately couldn’t get back home to my family in Kuwait before the borders shut, so I’m still in Paris and finding solutions.
The hardest part of this quarantine has been the way it has completely disrupted my daily routine. For some people, this may not be a big deal, but for people like myself who completely rely on order and a routine, it’s been a hard blow. I suddenly have all this time at home which I’ve definitely wished for on many accounts, except now I feel unproductive like never before. Thankfully, as this is the 12th day of quarantine in Paris and I’ve slowly gotten into a consistent routine. I can’t stress the importance of sticking to a “normal” routine that you would have as if you were still going to school/work.
9:00: Wake up
My day starts at 9am when my alarm goes off. Waking up early just so that I’m awake for the majority of daylight hours makes a big difference on my mental well being.
9:30: Exercise
I start my day off with 30 minutes of any form of exercise; this can be cardio, stretches or yoga. It’s important now more than ever to take care of yourself physically and mentally and exercise is a perfect release and to get your blood flowing. For some time now I’ve been saying that yoga is something I’ve been wanting to get into… so what better time than now? Gyms may be closed but in today’s digital age of Youtube and fitness apps you can learn virtually anything online.
10:00: Selfcare
I found that what helps me get into a productive zone is that after I take my daily shower I wear “real” clothes. So, loungewear is acceptable but PJs are a hard no, or else I’ll stay in bed for the rest of the day! One of my professors made an amazing suggestion of getting into a full outfit, and if you’re someone who enjoys putting makeup on, to go for it. Then I have breakfast — a healthy shake or some jam on toast with an apple — something with nutritional value to keep up my vitamins and immunity.
10:30-13:30: Working
As a fashion design major, this quarantine has definitely taken a toll on the way I’m used to working… but it also showed me how creative I can get. My apartment has currently been transformed into a decently equipped studio, and though it isn’t nearly as good as the ones at Parsons Paris, it works! I have a sewing machine and mannequin in my room, in the corridor right outside of my room I have my ironing station with my ironing board, and the floors work great for pattern making and cutting out big pieces of fabric. Thankfully, all my professors have adjusted project deliverables so that we can all excel without worrying about our grades being jeopardized in a situation that is out of our hands. A lot of work and communication is also conducted using just my laptop, which includes all my online classes which I have over Zoom, and using email and Google Drive to share work and get feedback.
13:30-15:30: Cooking and Socializing
I like to dedicate some time everyday to cook with fresh ingredients and video call with family or friends. Before quarantine, I was always in a hurry, so it has been refreshing to be able to enjoy some time just cooking and keeping up with relatives around the world. Keeping in touch with classmates and friends who are also still in Paris is always nice because it reminds me that I’m not alone.
15:30-19:30: Continue Working
19:30: Rest and Recreation
I use the rest of the day to chill out so this varies from watching a movie, to reading a book, or doing some knitting and blasting some music . I also tend to end my day by reading or watching the news just to be informed on what’s going on. But that being said, I limit it to just once a day or else it becomes my whole day. In today’s world where the media has the power to change opinions so quickly and influence minds so easily, it’s important to not let your brain and Instagram feed become saturated with all things COVID-19.
This pandemic may last for sometime but I like to keep in mind that everyday is a day closer to going back to normal life. Even now, I’m thankful that:
- I’m in good health mentally and physically.
- I still have school to look forward to as it provides me with a sense of normalcy.
- I have wifi to not only entertain myself but to connect to friends, family, and faculty.
- World pollution is going down!
- I have time to do whatever I want, read a book, master a yoga pose, learn to knit the possibilities are endless!
Perhaps this is a blessing in disguise and that we all need this to slow down and appreciate the little things in life. Find the silver linings because they’ll keep you going. And remember, you’re not alone, you always have friends, family, and the Student Success team here to support you. We’re all in this together and we’ll all come out of it stronger.
Take care of yourself!
Araz Yaghoub
BFA Fashion Design
Class of 2022