9 THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT SELF-ISOLATION

We’ve all wished for it – and magically as if our collective fairy godmother had waved her magic wand – here it is: The gift of time…

Are you using it well? We finally have more time to spend with our children, time to learn to play the guitar or to take up a neglected hobby or finish that abandoned project, time to exercise – albeit inside, time to spring clean – should you be that way inclined!  Use your time wisely – you asked for it.

As our lives shrink many of the things we usually do to entertain ourselves – including shopping, eating out and travelling – are off the cards.  When your life is limited to your home and garden, if you have one, you have to find pleasure in different things.  Suddenly, eating a home-cooked meal with your partner by candlelight has a whole different meaning. Creating a balcony garden or trying new recipes bring joy. Simple things such as finding a hidden roll of toilet paper at the back of the bathroom cabinet makes you do a little happy dance on the spot.

Yogis teach us not to be attached to things and even people as they say it’s the biggest source of human suffering, because the more attached we are, the harder it is to let go.

What becomes clear in confinement is that we need far less than we think we do. Our flashy cars, our designer handbags, our branded clothes – suddenly haven’t got much use. In times like these kindness becomes a stronger currency than cash.

We also know instinctively who we want to connect with and who we don’t really care so much to see during this time.

Isn’t it ironic how we suddenly feel closer to people we love the minute we can no longer see them.  Having a regular virtual chat with family members abroad or hooking up with friends for a virtual apero – could make us feel more connected than when we had the freedom to call them or see them anytime.

Similarly, for many families – particularly those with teenagers who tend to become more like lodgers at some point – self-isolation has gifted us some bonus magic moments of togetherness and laughter.  We bond over family meals, taking turns to clean the house, watching movies and playing games.

When we look at the empty streets and clear blue skies, we picture our planet taking deep breaths. Knowing that our planet is healing helps make our sacrifice a little easier to take and also makes us feel a bit calmer inside.

Companies and small businesses are struggling – but isn’t it amazing to see them search for and find different ways of making ends meet.

Social media channels are buzzing with new ideas: Online deliveries, virtual sports classes, rock concerts, impromptu choirs and cooking classes.

Even at home – we become more creative as we look for new ways of doing things. Who knew we had so many hidden talents just waiting to be discovered. Have you found yours yet?

Forgive me for going a bit esoteric here, but as with any crisis – we are forced to rely less on external forces and other people to survive. We have to look inside and find our own strength, our own core values – the power, determination, resilience and self-love that will help us conquer life’s toughest challenges.

As this virus forces us onto our collective knees, even the most independent and egocentric among us have to admit – we can’t fight this alone.  It starts with simply caring enough to stay home, even when it doesn’t suit you, but there is so much more: Helping those in need, supporting local businesses by ordering in, buying online, buying gift certificates, sharing helpful information, having regular virtual contact with loved ones and just being kind and tolerant to those stuck at home with us.