I am 25 years old now, and since I can remember, my dad has stuck to a rigid routine. He wakes up early every morning, freshens up, wears a similar dress style, has the same tea and biscuit for breakfast, and leaves for the same workplace every day. While I admire his discipline, he sees it as monotonous. He often tells me how he meets the same people who discuss the same topics daily, and there seems to be nothing new in his life. It has become mundane, monotonous, and uninteresting for him. 

The effects of this monotony are evident in his behavior. He quickly gets irritated and finds it exhausting to confront anything new, whether it's a fresh perspective or new technology. Recognizing his struggle, we decided to work together to break this cycle of monotony and help him destress. 

• Changing his wardrobe, a little 

My dad isn't very open to experimenting with his dressing style, but we decided to make some minor changes. We added more colors to his wardrobe and tried different cloth materials. Previously, he only wore cotton clothes, mostly in shades of white. But now, he has linens and Malmal fabrics in various bright colors, including yellow, magenta, and many more! At first, we were unsure about making such a change, but when my dad looked at himself in the mirror, he exclaimed, "Namrata, I feel so different, you know! It's like I am a fresh new person!" We knew this feeling might be temporary, but we cherished it nonetheless. 

• Getting him on social media 

Since my dad was surrounded by a limited group of people who engaged in repetitive conversations, we thought introducing him to social media could help break the monotony. The rich diversity of content on social media platforms enabled him to escape the monotony of daily discussions. It exposed him to different narratives and topics. He also started consuming various media forms, allowing him to hear different sides of multiple narratives. 

Thankfully, my dad had a healthy dose of skepticism towards social media, which prevented him from unquestioningly consuming everything he came across. Observing how he used social media mindfully reminded me to be a conscious consumer as well. 

• Sharing my playlist with him! 

As a desi father's desi child, I have always loved listening to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's qawwalis and songs of revolution. The restless feminist in me wanted my dad to experience these musical gems too. So, I shared my playlist with him, strengthening our bond even further. Now, his YouTube recommendations are pretty similar to mine! My dad, who used to read the news mainly and hardly listened to folk songs, now requests YouTube to play him poetry. The variety of exposure he has gained has made him more broad-minded and happier. 

Together, we broke the chains of monotony. We supported and understood each other. I realized how challenging it can be for parents to grasp our point of view, just as it can be burdensome for our generation to be patient with our parents. However, we developed a stronger bond and found deeper fulfilment by walking hand in hand as a team. It was never me against my dad because of his monotony; it was always him and me against it. 

This journey taught us valuable lessons about the transformative power of breaking free from familiar routines, the significance of mutual support and understanding, and the need for mindful media consumption. Our story became a testament to the fact that by embracing change and supporting one another, we can find joy and fulfilment even amidst the monotony of everyday life. 

 

This post represents the author’s personal views and experiences. iDare doesn’t endorse or take responsibility for the opinions expressed.       

 

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