Chapter 1: The Quarantine Experience

Living in quarantine feels akin to being on a film set. After college, I took on the role of a production assistant in Los Angeles, a title that often translates to “doing everyone else’s bidding.” My tasks included fetching coffee, picking up lunches, running errands, and handling equipment logistics.

During the filming of Katy Perry’s “Roar” music video, a colleague introduced me to a phrase frequently used in the film industry: “go, go, go, wait.” This phrase encapsulates the frenetic energy of Hollywood, followed by periods of inactivity and prolonged waiting.

As a production assistant, I would dart across the city, rushing from one task to another, only to return to the set and wait for hours for actors to change costumes, for the perfect light at Golden Hour, or for the sound team to resolve audio issues. There’s a lot of downtime in this line of work, where numerous moving parts mean that one mistake can derail the entire day.

In my current state of quarantine, I feel that same cycle of “go, go, go, wait.” Like many of you, I have a full agenda, but this relentless virus seems to halt all progress.

There's a wedding to organize, preparations for the holiday season, and the possibility that my fiancé may accept a job offer, which would require a cross-country move. The list of tasks is endless.

Go, go, go.

Then, a global pandemic hits.

Wait.

We find ourselves trapped in a time paradox where everything occurs simultaneously, yet nothing truly happens. It’s hard to believe that it’s already September, marking six months since the cultural phenomenon of Tiger King. Six frustrating months in this bizarre time loop. I sometimes feel like I’m caught in an episode of X-Files or reliving Groundhog Day.

Someone, please, help me out here!

Chapter 2: Understanding Time Through Ancient Wisdom

In my quest for clarity, I discovered two intriguing perspectives on why time can feel both fleeting and stagnant.

In Sanskrit, one of the oldest languages from India, the interval between two distinct thoughts is referred to as “kshana,” which can be interpreted as “a moment” in English.

The concept of kshana implies that when the mind is engaged with numerous thoughts, the gaps in time seem shorter, leading to the sensation that time is racing by. Conversely, during periods of boredom or lethargy, when thoughts are scarce, time appears to drag on.

Quarantine may have activated both extremes of kshana. Some days, our schedules are overflowing with chores, workouts, and virtual meetings—many thoughts filling our minds. Other days, we find ourselves mindlessly snacking on the couch for hours, leading to a feeling of time stretching indefinitely. This oscillation between the two states helps explain the confusion we experience.

Chapter 3: Time Through the Lens of Quantum Physics

Now, let’s delve into a scientific perspective. Quantum physics presents three dimensions of time: chronological, biological, and experiential.

Experiential time pertains to how we perceive and experience time, independent of clocks or calendars; it all exists in our minds.

Consider this scenario: during the hour between 9 AM and 10 AM, Person A engages in their usual morning routine—showering, brushing teeth, enjoying coffee, getting dressed, and commuting to work. Meanwhile, Person B is texting while driving, runs a red light, and has a head-on collision.

While both persons experience the same 60-minute period, their perceptions are vastly different. Person B recalls every single moment of that hour, while Person A might struggle to remember whether they applied deodorant.

In terms of experiential time, we enrich our lives and memories through impactful events, which we remember vividly. These significant moments often encompass a mix of emotions—birthdays, weddings, losses, and yes, even the chaos of the pandemic.

Alright, that’s enough of the science talk for today before my brain short-circuits. I hope all of this made sense! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to attempt to slow down time with a little relaxation and the same mundane lunch I eat daily. Goodbye!