Expectations vs Reality: Things M’sians Plan to Do During MCO Period & What Actually Happens

The Movement Control Order has instructed Malaysians everywhere to stay at home until 14 April, and now you’re faced with a problem that you’ve never even dreamed of: you have too much free time on your hand! 

Just like many others, you start to plan what you can do during this holiday time off. But sometimes, things don’t go as you planned. Read on to find out if these scenarios seem familiar to you on what you plan to do during the MCO period & what actually happens:

1. Staying fit and active while at home

Source: GC4 Women

EXPECTATION: You plan to exercise every day

It’s every working adult’s go-to excuse: “how to exercise, too busy!” Now that you have nothing but free time at home, it’s time to get active! It’s now or never!

Source: freepik

REALITY: Start tomorrow lah… And then tomorrow again… and another tomorrow… 

Turns out being busy was not the reason you didn’t exercise; it’s simply because you’re too lazy. You keep postponing working out as you binge-watch Netflix, or you got roped into joining viral trends like those drawing inceptions on IG or concocting a cup of ‘dalgona coffee’.

Source: Instagram

2. When preparing for makan time

Source: Desain Rumah ID

EXPECTATION: You plan to cook and eat healthily

Since you’re normally too tired to cook, you thought this would be a perfect time to finally eat more healthily by cooking your own meals!

Source: Hafiz Kelantan

REALITY: You order food delivery instead or eat cup noodles every day

You can’t help but to order food delivery or just cook your favourite cup noodles instead. It’s too convenient!

3. When doing house chores

Source: wiseGEEK

EXPECTATION: You plan to clean and sanitise every corner to fight the virus!

As a way to combat the virus, you want to clean and sanitise every single surface in your house, and try to declutter the stuff you’ve been hoarding around the house too.

Source: freepik

REALITY: You sweep a bit and then get tired already

Uhh never mind lah, you’ll spray some disinfectant spray all over the house then you should be fine.

4. “Working-from-home”

Source: freepik

EXPECTATION: Glued to your computer from 8am to 5pm while being productive all-day

Without having to commute anymore, working from home will be easy peasy since you can save time and energy and channel it into being more productive!

Source: Baomoi

REALITY: You take a nap every 10 minutes and 356,875 snack breaks

Your “work” includes either dozing off every few minutes, or taking countless trips to the kitchen for snack breaks.

5. Avoiding people

Source: Shutterstock

EXPECTATION: You can take a break from seeing your colleagues, bosses and your annoying clients

When you have to see someone every day for five days a week, of course, you’re due for some me-time. Now, you can finally work at home in peace!

Source: ZD Net

REALITY: You have Skype/Zoom video calls all day, every day now

Unfortunately, your boss keeps requesting to have video meetings which is excruciating because you can’t even work at home wearing sweats. Where’s the joy in that?

6. Saving money

Source: freepik

EXPECTATION: You can save a ton by staying at home!

Now that you have to stay at home for 28 days, just think of all the things you can save on: no commute, no eating out, no going to the store, walao you can probably save like half your salary!

Source: LUNA X

REALITY: You’re addicted to online shopping

Just when you thought you could save money now that you can’t go out, you discover online shopping. Well, at least you’re staying safe by not going to crowded places!

In these dire times, it’s definitely helpful to have online platforms like Shopee where we can find almost everything from household items, personal essentials to even fresh produce – all at affordable prices! Luckily for us, Shopee will be operating as usual during the MCO period and they are also working closely with suppliers & retailers such as:

• MYDIN
• Tesco
• Nestlé
• AEON BiG
• Unilever
• P&G
• RB

And many more in order to ensure that there will be sufficient supply to cater to all Malaysians. So no need to panic buy okay!

And if you’re a loyal Shopee customer, there’s even more good news for you!

Shopee is having their 4.4 Brands Festival from 20 March to 4 April that will offer exclusive deals and exciting games where you can win prizes!

This 16-day campaign will feature a different brand every day. So, you need to tune in each day to catch the best deals from your favourite merchants such as:

• Watsons
• Tefal
• Enfagrow A+
• realme
• Pet Pet, and many more!

You should also anticipate their Daily Limited Time RM4 Deals to find shocking sales that will only be available on 12am, 12pm and 8pm everyday.

Other things to look out for:

• Play Shopee Games such as Shopee Flip & Match, Shopee Throw, Shopee Lucky Bag and RM1 or Not where you’ll stand a chance to win RM444,000 worth of prizes, coins and vouchers.
• Don’t miss out on the 4.4 Early Bird Sale on 27 March and the 4.4 Brand Festival on 4 April where there will be more surprises such as free shipping, upsized Shocking Sale, premium deals and awesome vouchers.
• There will be special vouchers available for new Shopee users where you’ll get RM8 OFF with a minimum spend of RM40.

Walao, so many things to look forward to!

And that’s not all, we’ve also got a special treat for you! Shopee is kind enough to give our readers some special vouchers! Simply use the code WOBNEW for new Shopee users or WOB44 for existing Shopee users, and you’ll get RM8 OFF your total purchase. Thanks, Shopee!

As we shop in, let us not forget all the hardworking ‘abang delivery’ from Shopee who are sacrificing a lot just to cater to our needs. So make sure to thank them the next time they deliver your parcel, okay?

Abang delivery, you’re a hero to us too!

For more information, head on over to Shopee’s website, or download their mobile application for FREE on App Store or Google Play.

How have you been spending this MCO period? Tell us in the comments below!