One thing's for sure. The coronavirus (Covid 19) pandemic is universal. Various stages of lockdown are enforced, depending on where one lives. In Australia, it's also broken down into each state. In New South Wales, we should only be leaving home if we're working or studying, attending medical appointments, exercising or buying essentials. These measures are in place to stop the spread or - to use the current catchphrase - flatten the curve. We're also made aware of social distancing and personal hygiene - especially washing our hands.
Most of us already know this and are doing our best to keep our loved ones safe. But what about ourselves? I'm writing as someone who lives on my own now. My kids are all grown and have flown the coop. They don't live near me and this is the hardest part about isolation right now. I can't just jump in the car and see whoever I like or go wherever I want. I'm restricted. I'm also a person who suffers from clinical depression and isolation can at times be unbearable. The one saving grace is having my sister live nearby. We still see each other and it's a good thing.
Since I've been home during this last month, my university studies moved online. We still have lectures and tutorials, using group chats like Zoom or Collaborate instead of face to face. I have found that to be rather challenging, as many of us would. Thankfully, we have a mid semester break and due to how the content is now being delivered, we have an extra week off and more time to complete assessments towards the end. Whew!
I'm also about to be rather ironic. I'm not studying right now, apart from reading a book in readiness for the first week back in English Literature. I've been cleaning my house. During this first week, I mowed and weeded the yard, ripped up the carpet in the loungeroom and taken it back to floorboards. I mopped the loungeroom floor and put everything back in its place after a good clean and dust. I've cleaned all the windows but for the small bathroom one, which I'll get to. I watch Netflix in the evening and am finally finishing off a knitted project that someone has very patiently waited for. My pet pooch has had a flea bath and is much the cleaner for it! I study Astrology charts and compile a Tarot and Lenormand journal. I also browse on Facebook and stay in touch with people I know that way, as much as possible. I'm in the second week of my break and I have a garage to straighten up, a kitchen and bathroom to clean, keep up with the yard and probably straighten up the laundry as well. I'm doing all these things now, because I have the time and before I hit the books again at the start of May, when our semester resumes.
What's happening for me now is a new energy shift coming in. Because I've been spending my newly found time cleaning, arranging and organising my home, I'm returning to my inner balance. Thoughts of family and friends are never far from my mind, but because I've been so busy of late around the house, my mind isn't idle. I'm in the moment and enjoying the process. I even found a bush walk near my place yesterday, where I can take my dog, walk among the trees and commune with the spirits. I was also stoked at the thought of finding new places and things to photograph. I put down my camera for a while, because I wasn't feeling inspired. My phojo is coming back. I also want to do more knitting and spinning, because the weather is getting cooler and there are many projects that I want to start on (and for some, pick up from where I've left off! 😝).
As I write this, I'm reminded of what our ancient forebears used to do, especially in the dead of winter. In this instance, I refer to my Anglo/Celtic ancestors in the northern hemisphere. They couldn't go out; trade and social activities would grind to a halt. They would spend their time, instead, on fixing and mending things, protect their livestock from the harsh weather; they stayed home and did things. As a modern society, we've taken our busy lives for granted to the point that we've forgotten ourselves along the way. I'm not speaking selfishly here. In the long run, our loved ones also benefit from us feeling better as well, since it minimises our feelings of frustration and we don't act out on them. It's a time for recharging our own batteries, because our society has become sick and exhausted.
It's a very hard time economically for many people who have either lost their jobs or been stood down and I don't wish to downplay how these folk are feeling. Many again are still working in front line jobs and facing some very challenging times. Without them, we would be on our knees, so we should support them any way we can. I'm in a different situation as a full time student, although my allowance is pittance and any part time work I would want to find has come to a standstill. I'll still get by, as I'm resourceful. I cook my meals, I'm very artistic and creative. Most of all, I look for things to keep me busy. Because, if I don't, I would be climbing the walls. I treat myself to a weekly drive in my local area and call in at the local chocolate factory, which is still open to the public. I order a delicious choc mocha and some other delight to take away. I walk the dog, I go to the shops. When I do need to get out of the house, these are the small things that keep me grounded. At home, I'm fortunate to have a yard and I love gardening. Being outside has always been a big deal for me. I'm physically healthy, which is also advantageous. Another crucial factor for me is listening to music while I work and/or relax. I've been a lifelong lover of music and I have eclectic tastes. Today's easy listening was Yes's Tales from Topographic Oceans.
So next time any of you would say "I'm bored. I'm not feeling motivated." That's okay, for now. Before too long, you will want to do something. If you're feeling unwell and dealing with a chronic condition, do the best you can to get through the day. Reach out to someone, on the phone or through a videolink. Bring out your artistic side. Do something for yourself which makes you feel good. All we have is the moment and we need to remind ourselves of this. If you feel overwhelmed by what's around you in the home that needs to be done, break the jobs down into small chunks and concentrate on one area. Give yourself a big pat on the back for a job well done. Then move on to the next one. Keep up the good work and enjoy the satisfaction you get from it. You've got plenty of time. It's all about changing your mindset and bringing in the feel good hormones. Our feelings of sadness and loneliness won't go away during this period, but we can minimise these feelings and bring in more uplifting energy.
Another important matter to keep in mind is our eating habits. Staying at home makes us inclined to eat more. While I think it's perfectly fine to sometimes indulge, we must ultimately think over the long term of what we put in our bodies. Fresh fruit and veg is important. Nuts, seeds, fish, meat (if you eat it), dairy etc, along with drinking plenty of water and keeping caffeine to a minimum. Buying what we can afford is also important, so it pays to shop wisely. I do my best to adhere to these principles, although my notoriously sweet teeth craves for those other things. That's still a work in progress 😔. I don't smoke and rarely drink, so that helps.
I laugh at the irony of having a clean house and no visitors. My dog and I are comfortable. The restrictions will ease soon and guess what? We've put ourselves back into a good place, starting from where we should be, at home. Home should be our happy place where we find peace, safety and tranquility. If we get the balance right at home, it flows outwards. Then we'll have all the time in the world once more for social activities and getting back to work. We do this with a clear mind and open heart. It's a good time to remember ourselves and what we want from our lives. It's not being selfish. It's about staying sane!
Until next time, stay safe, wash your hands and Wassail!
I have happy places in nature. They're where I go when I need to find peace and tranquility. Where I currently live is more like a town and while I enjoy the convenience of walking to the shops and having what I need in close proximity, I've missed the bush walks that calmed my mind. Two days ago, I finally found a place that I can go to. I can sit by the stream and take photographs of the ducks and waterfowl or walk my pooch. It's amazing to find what I call the world within a world, because it has this feeling of me stepping into another place. When I feel like that, it's because I've stumbled upon a Faerie glen. On more than one occasion, I've looked down a couple of dead end streets, as though being lured to learn its secrets. It's a best kept secret all right and I hope it stays that way.