Finally… I have the opportunity to shine. I can excel at something. Be better than most. It’s only what I deserve after all—given all of the effort I’ve put in and the years of training.
Of course my achievements are going unnoticed. But I won’t pout or sulk. I won’t boast. Or maybe I will. Yes I know… I’ll write a blog post about it.
About how good I am at ISOLATING. At SOCIAL DISTANCING.
One day last week I was talking to a friend (via FB messenger of course) and commented that I probably needed to go out and do a few things (post office, groceries etc) but it wasn’t that long since I’d left the house…. I thought back, “About four days,” I said. And then I realised it’d been six days.
I’ve essentially lived alone since the early 1990s. When I worked full-time I adored my alone-time. My job was fairly full-on and I made myself available 24/7 and checked emails constantly. On weekends I’d occasionally catch up with friends but other than that I’d bunker down. I didn’t want to see or talk to anyone. I was tired of being nice. I celebrated the introduction of self-checkouts at the local library and supermarkets.
And more recently I’ve worked from home. So… I’m accustomed to online chats and occasional video conferences.
As a blogger (and avid social network user) many of the people I feel closest to (or most engaged with) are virtual friends—only some of whom I’ve met in person as well.
But I see how much some people are struggling. There’s debate over whether this is easier for introverts, given their preference for alone-time… or at least the energy we draw from time to ourselves.
I know people who do stuff all of the time. They rarely stay at home for entire days and are completely unable to entertain themselves for extended periods of time; or at least have no interest in doing so. Those who prefer the company of others and need to be ‘doing things’.
I’ve never been like that. Even when I was more sociable I enjoyed my alone-time. I happily spent school or university holidays holed up racing through dozens of books or watching rented videos.
So… life doesn’t actually feel that different for me at the moment. It’s business as usual.
Sure I’m spending too much time on social media to ignore what’s happening in the world and the sense of trepidation or uncertainly is most definitely contagious. Like many I’m finding it hard to concentrate and feeling unsettled. But my everyday life is pretty much unchanged.
I talked last week about how people are coping. I’d offer advice about developing some routines, trying to find small things to celebrate / be grateful for, exercising and getting fresh air or remembering that this too will end… but I’m kinda tired of the motivational and uplifting quotes suggesting we’ll come out of this as better people. So… I will avoid the advice-giving.
In fact I thought about avoiding the ‘C’ word completely but realised it’s at the forefront of most of our minds, so it’d be like ignoring the elephant in the room. So, instead I’m just saying… hang in there and I’m including some of my fave pics from ‘Mommy Needs Vodka’ on Facebook for your entertainment.
How are you doing? Is life in lockdown or self-isolation difficult for you? Or perhaps you’re enjoying having time with your family?
April 6, 2020
Pretty much identical for my other half, who already basically lives socially distanced. Main difference is that I am home now but during working hours I’m in my study so not really around each other until we eat lunch together.
I find the balance of media hard to find. If I ignore it for a day then I feel like “oh maybe I could go to the shops for x or y item” instead of waiting for it to show up in a week. So I think I need (to some degree) the news fear to remind me that I am doing the right thing? I’ll probably feel better about it all once we get a hang of replacing the food we need with new suppliers.
April 6, 2020
My cupboards are actually better stocked than usual. I tend to eat the same things again and again so can never usually stock up as I buy it and eat it – rinse repeat. I rarely buy huge amounts for fear I’ll eat it all (well, except meat and staples).
I’m consuming far too much news and check Twitter trending news during the night when I wake and constantly during the day. I definitely need to cut back on that.
April 6, 2020
An honest view of your world Deb, and I’d expect nothing less! Enjoy 🙂 #lifethisweek
April 7, 2020
Ah yes…. far too honest sometimes I suspect! 😉
April 6, 2020
This introvert is proudly in retreat and happier than ever!
April 7, 2020
Same… I’m basically fine, though I am talking to my mother each day and chatting to people online so not THAT isolated.
April 6, 2020
I’m adjusting surprisingly well but I am leading the isolation life on a fifty fifty basis at the moment because of work. I am really enjoying the quiet, the space and the simplicity.
SSG xxx
April 7, 2020
Ah… yes, the people I know who are working are mostly okay about ‘working’ but worrying more about the commute though I notice places are now offering free parking etc so they can drive and not catch public transport.
April 6, 2020
I’m exactly the same Deb – I feel like the last year of retirement had been like a prep for coronavirus 101. I’m great at staying home, fantastic at entertaining myself, not missing any of the activities that are on hold, getting lots of video and photo contact from my kids and grandgirls (although I will admit to missing the opportunity to see them all face to face – but that will happen eventually).
I’d be quite happy to live like this indefinitely (as long as the shops keep stocking their shelves) A little more family time and a little less doom and gloom and over-sanitation from the mask and glove wearing shoppers and I’d be in heaven.
Glad you’ve found your sweet spot too. I’ll probably be writing a post on retirement as prep for isolation soon.
April 7, 2020
I love your attitude Leanne and agree with you – re keeping shops stocked and that sort of thing. It’s impossible to know where things are heading but it’s currently seeming like things aren’t TOOOOO bad in Australia compared with other countries, so good thing we eventually had to go into lockdown (of sorts) but I gather we’ll need to stay this way longer than many would like.
April 6, 2020
Ensuring my teenage/twenty year old ‘kids’ all stay home too is the hardest for me and explaining to my mum on the phone why I really can’t visit her currently.
April 7, 2020
I used to overnight with my mum weekly but have still been visiting. I took some groceries last week and had planned to just visit at Easter, but she’s having internet issues so I’m planning to drive to her (in neighbouring town) today to see if I can check on that for her.
April 7, 2020
I am ok spending time at home but it is hard on my little ones. They want to play with their friends and the kids in the street. I really feel for them. Take care.
April 7, 2020
I can’t even imagine how hard it is with kids. I’ve seen some having online / zoom conversations with friends or ‘gaming’ with others. I must check on my friend who’s a sole parent of one child cos I suspect not having siblings to play with would be hard.
April 7, 2020
Haha, I know we’ve talked about this! I think I’ve finally reached acceptance stage but it’s not like I’m happy with the situation. That first meme about bars and gyms closing – yeah those broke me. And while I’m not a club person, live music ceasing was tough! I do love my alone time but I also enjoy my alone time sitting at the beach and reading, or in a park or cafe. I don’t care about big retail shops, never been a shopping centre person unless you count the bookstores in there but I am an outdoor person. And I feel like it’s all those things that give me energy that have shut. But I’m going to try and accept it and just go for more walks as exercise and properly break up my work day and finishing off work. I’m glad it’s been ok for you!
April 7, 2020
I need to do some consistent walking. I’ve only been for one (in ages) since this started and realised I should try to do it most days as my local beach is seriously deserted and there’s no threat at all for me there.
April 7, 2020
I’m working still out of the home and too be honest wish I wasn’t. The days i’m home i’m really enjoying it!, spending it with the kids…. i even love the schooling from aspect! keep safe everyone!
April 7, 2020
Oh that’s great Kerrie – though not about the work bit! I had a bit of work on last week so actually felt a bit stressed as I was struggling to focus, but this week feels more balanced.
April 7, 2020
Ha! I am one of those extroverts you better check on.I am seriously missing contact with people! 🙂 My husband is getting tired of having to TALK to me all the time. Thanks for the smiles. We all can use them.
April 7, 2020
I keep seeing jokes about couples getting on each others’ nerves during this time and can imagine it would be hard. Hopefully most people have some space in their home or can go outside for a bit of alone-time when they need it.
April 8, 2020
It’s pretty much business as usual here except that now my husband is working from home and now I have to share my space – lucky we enjoy being together. Like you, I’m very grateful for the friends in my computer and really appreciate how difficult the lockdown is for many. That said, I think we as individuals need to pivot and adapt to our “new normal” (even if we don’t like it,) a bit like businesses are doing because I think we’re in this for the foreseeable. Thank goodness for technology making the world feel so much smaller and us feel so much more connected.
April 8, 2020
I know Sam, I try to imagine this happening a couple of decades ago (or longer…).
I lived in developing countries in the mid 1990s and found the isolation from family and friends at home really hard. My folks used to fax me weekly (and I them) when I lived in Africa and that was the highlight of my week. Similarly when I lived in Cambodia I used to trek to a public phone box to ring (reverse charges charged to my folks – even though I was in my late 20s by then) home every fortnight and I often wished we could do it more than that.
Now, with Facetime, Facebook, mobiles, text messaging and the like it’s soooo easy to be connected.