The wave of the ongoing pandemic has taken a toll on all of us and to be safe, everyone is advised to stay home. What’s the first thing you look for if you are just sitting ideally or even while working from home? Well, I would ‘call’ for my phone. During this lockdown, 3 things have taken a total random hit: the amount of digital media we are consuming, the house cleaning methods and the coffee for your Dalgona! Varied content consumption has increased with a rapid mountain climbing speed, giving a chance to the content creators, to engage more.
The amount of content being churned out every day is inescapable and the viewership, almost immeasurable. While staying updated with covid-19 news around the world, it is absolutely necessary to have a positive mindset and even a virtual connection with the outside world, leading to a boost in subscription services. From spirituality to inspiration and general humour, we need those bits of lightheartedness to face the whips of solitude and lost connections with nature. OTT platforms like Netflix has introduced an extension of its own called Telepathy, for the GenZ’s and Millennials missing out on the fun of watching a movie together in a cinema hall or under the same roof.
Where people are indulging in humour and positivity on one end, the other is reserved for well-informed influencers. By well-informed I mean, people who are experts in their domain and could pass on some credible information. Their main purpose is to educate the mass, share personal opinions and to create a global involvement in the form of webinars. Talking about influencers, the impact of the mainstream commercial ones can’t be seen too much with regards to debatable topics or strong opinions but the immense engagement they create through talking about leisure and pleasure holds a measurable part in keeping one busy. The public has started to be more inclined towards original ideas, something untouched and raw, with which they can relate and imply in their lives. Gone are the days when standards were created and made to feel less of oneself.
What if that lavish fashion shows you see live, all dolled up, could be attended in the simplicity of your PJ’s? This pandemic made that possible too. Be it Lotus India Fashion Week or Lakme Fashion Week, every fashion enthusiast could be their own critic and enjoy the show at their own convenience.
The time is tough and there is a long way to go, a positive outlook and fitness is equally important. Be it mental health or physical, we all have understood the importance of the well-being of the two. Fitness coaches are putting up their creative takes on exercising while keeping the motivation intact whereas another part of the world is giving new tips and tricks for baking that perfect banana bread. What a difficult decision to make but how about the taste of both the worlds? I am in for this. While the onset of this Pandemic got us hooked to the old school ‘Ludo’, with development, people are shifting to other games like ‘Among us’. For sure, you got one of these sittings on your phone too! While there is uncertainty and confusion involved, people are looking for support and assurance in any form and they are trying to connect more with their long lost friends and turning up to online communities. Going down the street and bumping into your friend or supporting your favourite cricket team live has become almost difficult, it is in the form of video meetups or creating open groups has made the support system even more personal. Virtual teaching groups and online courses are keeping the young generation informed, with no loss of education and their future. People are disconnected yet connected. As rightly said, “necessity is the mother of invention”.
Post-Covid world, which is yet to introduce itself will be certainly a lot different than the lives we have lived so far. Feelings of compassion, kindness, safety will overpower the negative ones we hold. There will be a competition like always but with a smile on our faces. Eventually, we will hope for things to turn around the same as before but the sudden shift in lifestyle and outlook will directly impact the generation of the digital content we rely on.
Authored article by Mridul Sawhney, Co-Founder of AM Branding Co.
