Louma Rabah, painter

@loumarabah www.loumarabah.com

Do you think this crisis will lead to a change? And if so, how?

The most dramatic change is we will stop hugging and kissing 3 times just about anybody. The Lebanese way will change.

Less dramatically, we will appreciate more the outdoor and life’s other simple pleasures. Covid-19 will increase our generosity and empathy. People are already asking “what can I offer” and “how can I help”, because we all know that some will be OK, but most will struggle after job losses and heavy burden. We will rethink our behavior towards each other and towards earth. We will recognize that we have a limited time on this planet and living meaningfully and peacefully together is what really counts.

What is your daily routine in confinement?

I wake up late. I exercise. I pull my son from Fortnite for homework. I collect herbs from my balcony. I cook. I pull my son from Fortnite for lunch. After lunch, I paint. I water the plants and flowers on my balcony that I planted at the beginning of lockdown. I pull my son from Fortnite for homework. I have chai (ginger, milk, tea, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, and one more thing I don’t know the name of). I attend a Harvard online class, “tangible things”. It takes 2 hours. I cook. I pull my son from Fortnite for dinner. After dinner, popcorn and Netflix, like everybody else. I pull my son from Fortnite for bed.

Repeat.

From the simple pleasures of an active life, what do you miss the most?

I miss my studio. I really miss the thawra, and particularly closing the Ring at night. In the first weeks of lockdown, I missed my family and friends. Not anymore (for family and friends reading this, of course I don’t mean you).

What don't you miss?

I don’t miss traffic and pollution.

To avoid boredom, what do you suggest to our readers:

BOOKS:

Shantaram, by Gregory Roberts

Sapiens, by Yuval Harari (even more relevant now)

The Body, by Bill Bryson (also very relevant, and fascinating)

TV SHOWS: The Crown and a lot of meaningless junk I don’t recommend

INSTA TO FOLLOW:

@mychie-peachie for home workout (and for that steel ass)

@nytcooking

@mariojrhaddad for great recipes daily in his instastory

@sleepingwiththeenemyproduction For mamnou3 el tehzib and inspiring

@abstract.mag for inspiration

@abstract.ted also for inspiration

@beyondorganic for the freshest organic vegetables delivered to your door. You can ask them for baby plants to start your own garden on your balcony. I did.

WEBSITE TO FOLLOW : online-learning.hardvard.edu for free online courses

A word of encouragement

You can finally do nothing and not feel guilty. Think about it as a chance to slowdown, pamper yourself and learn something new.