support – Esoteric

It’s been a year since we’ve been living under such heavy stress. This stress, also a threat to our sanity and way of life, is single handedly contributed by the effects of this accelerated virus documented under the name of COVID-19. But let’s be clear, the question of the effects of this virus isn’t the same conversation as whether the virus is “real” or a conspiracy. For regardless of what it is, why it is, or who made it what it is, there are life threatening effects because of this questionable flu variant. There’s no denying that people are dying and that our way of life has been dramatically shifted, and these aspects alone are enough to make it all worrisome.

It’s scary imagining and reflecting on what life was just a year ago. It’s not scary because life was bad a year ago, it’s scary because of how fast this flu has become a dominant influence on how we live. About a year ago, early 2020, we were made aware of COVID-19 and it’s possible repercussions if it were to become a widespread virus. Of course these were all worst case scenario possibilities, nothing that we actually thought would happen. But even if we did believe there was a possibility, that wasn’t a possibility we chose to entertain. For who would want to imagine a life completely opposite of the life that were enjoying. We lived freely, expressively and intimately amongst each other. We enjoyed the flexibility of being able to travel both domestically and internationally. We openly ignored the idea of ‘space’, for a proper hello or goodbye was always complimented by a hug, shaking of hands, or 1,2, or 3 kisses. We enjoyed a life that presented us with endless possibilities of exercising both the mind and the body through recreational, competitive and professional activities. WE WERE LIVING!

Some may argue and say that although COVID-19 has impacted our social lives, social media was already on the verge of doing so. While I do understand that argument, I strongly believe that there’s a significant impact when a person is left with no choice. Although social media has indeed been affecting our social lives, it is so because these are choices that we as people have made (though conscious or unconscious). But COVID-19 has placed us in a situation that we have no control of, we have no say, we have no freedom nor any flexibility, and that’s where the frustrations begins.

Fast forward to a year later, here we are still living under threat. A threat to our lives, both physical and mental. Again, whether you believe in COVID-19 or not, there’s no denying that people are dying, people are suffering, and our way of life has been affected. But what’s really worrisome to me is that many of us focus on the tragedy of the now, and neglect those of tomorrow. There have been countless souls that lost their lives (physical) due to COVID-19 up until now. The tragedy of death has directed our focus solely on the physical and distracted us from also seeing the urgency of all the victims who have and are losing their lives through the mental aspect. For death isn’t the only way we as humans can lose our lives.

It confuses me to realize, that we live in a world that acknowledges the effects of caging away animals for any extended period, but does not acknowledge the effects on us as people. Yes, it is necessary for protocols to be in place, but how are we really saving people if we are only saving the physical and neglecting the mental?
Children are suffering, teens are suffering, parents, adults, professionals, we all are in our way. It’s tough to see that kids aren’t able to free themselves up to the world, engage and explore. Worrisome to know that teenagers, especially those going through puberty, aren’t able to find means of constructive outputs nor are they able to socialize or create experiences and bonds. Frustrating to accept that adults aren’t able to enjoy the pleasures of a relief or an output that allows them destress from a confined work day. Heartbreaking to know that people living abroad aren’t able to meet new people, aren’t able to socialize, are all alone with no answers, only more questions.

Families aren’t able to live traditionally, children aren’t able to touch their parents or grandparents, birthdays and holidays become lonely gatherings. Depression, frustration, loneliness, stress… tragedies such as funerals or emergencies are experienced through a text or over a camera. This is no regular life, this is far from a life…

We are living in a world that we do not recognize. But if we do not look out for each other, if we do not create measures or a support system that focuses on the mental well-being of our people, even if we get back the world we once knew, how many people will we not be able to recognize?

Call a friend, call your family, check in on them, make sure they are okay. Reach out to someone if you need someone to speak to. Stop telling yourself that you’re okay when you’re not. None of us are, and the only way that we can survive this is together!!!

Warning: All activities performed on this day were executed by professionals. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. No, I’m just kidding, all activities were performed by just average students and average staff members of the HAN, so feel free to join in during the next ABS athletics event!!

After reading the title you may be thinking to yourself that this may be a bit exaggerated, but do NOT kid yourself, it is NOT. I believe the title is well fitting for the occasion and the accomplishment by not only us the students, but also by members of the faculty of the ABS.

On Sunday April 22^nd 2018, 4 students (Tolke Plieth, Melanie Schafer, Man-kit Lee & Riegmar Valies) and 2 faculty members of the ABS (Niek van Hees & Thijs van den Broek), participated in a mini triathlon right here in Arnhem. This triathlon consisted of 3 activities which were; swimming, cycling and running (in that exact order). For us, the students, this was our first time participating in a triathlon but we were ready!!! Luckily for us though, Niek & Thijs had prior experience and were able to give us some really good tips and tricks.

Sunday morning we all rounded up at the triathlon location, me at 8:26 a.m, some 8:37 a.m and others maybe a few minutes before 9. Hahaha, who’s keeping record? The point is, we all agreed to meet up at the location before 9 o’clock so that we could register the teams and get our respective participation numbers. After registering, we went up to put our bikes in the stalls and sit at the pool-side observing the earlier competitors category as we waited for our start-time. So yes, we were basically there 2 hours in advance. All I could think on was, “man, I could’ve slept a bit longer!”. Lol. But we were there, the weather was beautiful and the vibes were just right. We were all nervous but excited at the same time as we watched the clock countdown and we saw team after team dive into the pool and began their turn.

First team to begin was Niek & Thijs, which was quite good because we got the extra boost seeing them push through their laps in the pool. Despite us wanting to beat their time and show them that the students are here to win, we still supported each other and shouted words of encouragement as they made their laps. At one point Thijs was even able to take a pose mid-swimming, which was quite cool. Hahahaha. When they finished and went on to the next activity, it was about time for team 2 (Tolke & Melanie) to head out, followed by team 3 (Mankit & I). IT WAS ON!!!!

Before the real race challenge started no one mentioned the pre-challenge, which was getting into that pool filled with cold water!! They measured it at 21.5 degrees celcius but WOW, it was COLD!! COLDD!! At least up until the point when we began to actually swim, then it becomes quite soothing. The real challenge began which was indeed a challenge. If you’re not a frequent swimmer, the resistance lap after lap takes a toll on your arms, shoulders and legs. Talk about having spaghetti arms. Right after completing such a challenge and you feel the relief, it lasts only a few minutes. Those few minutes is the time you have to get to your bicycle, change and head out on the cycling challenge. Just as the body was put to work during swimming, it was put to work overtime to cycle and then double overtime for the final stretch which was running. I won’t even lie to you, it was definitely exhausting. The best part of it all was after all that swimming, cycling and running, nothing was more pleasurable at that moment than crossing the finish line. The triathlon was over…..we made it……..WE ACCOMPLISHED!

To be honest, this was definitely a worthwhile experience. I recommend all students to take the opportunity if they have a chance. I will be joining ABS athletics for another event.

I would like to thank the Arnhem Business School for the opportunity to participate in this triathlon. I would like to specifically thank Niek van Hees & Thijs van den Broek for their support through the process before and during the triathlon. I would definitely like to send a huge thanks to Niek Wessels who assisted with getting the team ready and organizing the team for the triathlon. Also a thank you to our amazing supporters and photographers: Jair Frank & Dasha Surovtseva.