6 Things I’m Finding Helpful During Self Isolation

Last updated on 28 June 2020

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There are some things I’m finding really helpful during this time of self-isolation.

We are currently living in history. Here in New Zealand, we’ve closed our borders, we’ve been in a nation-wide self-isolation since March 26th 2020. For many, this time is really difficult. For others, not too much has changed.

I’m one who goes out a lot. Like, a lot. Most evenings in the week I’m out and about doing something, whether that be a meeting or an event, or just catching up with friends. To go from that to suddenly being home every single night of the week in the same house, doing very similar things every day has been an interesting transition. While I’m enjoying the less rushed pace of life right now, oh how I long to get out of my bubble and go and do something – anything! – different.

Today I thought I’d share some of the things that I’m finding helpful during this time of self-isolation.

1. Getting dressed in the morning

   I love being in my PJs all day, don’t get me wrong. But how much work am I going to be doing if I’m in my pyjamas all day? Not very, I can tell you that right now. Getting up at a decent time, even on the days I’m not working, and actually putting clothes on is super helpful for that day. I’m not talking cute outfits or slightly impractical shoes or anything. I’m talking about clothes are comfy enough to be in the house and moving from your desk to your couch easily enough, but aren’t sweat pants and a ten-years-old hoodie.

2. Walking

   We’re trying to get out every day for a walk, even if it’s just for 20 minutes. As well as stretching our legs and getting in a little exercise, it’s been good to get some fresh air and remember that there is a world outside our home. While we have to do the dance of which way we commit to on the footpath when approaching others, just seeing other people, even at a distance, is really nice.

3. Trying something new

   Luckily I’m a bit of an arts and crafts materials hoarder. I have so many bits and pieces around the place that I have picked up for various projects or events over the years that I haven’t managed to use, or used and can use again. This has been ideal for this time of self-isolation. I tried my hand at macrame for the first time the other day (post coming soon!), mostly because I had about 60m of rope lying about the place. I use it a lot for events (hanging up decorations, mostly), but a few months ago I had bought bunch more. Trying out something new (whether that be an artsy-crafty thing or something like baking something new) can really break up your day and give you something new and creative to do.

4. Planning things

   I’m not talking about planning excursions, obviously, but planning things to look forward to during the week is really beneficial to both your social life and your mental health. Some things my friends and I have been doing while in lockdown include playing board games together, playing online games together, hanging out and doing the trivia quizzes on House Party, scheduling video chats, watching movies together and more. If you have something to look forward, it makes self-isolation a little more bearable.

5. Being creative

   Tying in with number 3, I’ve found actually going back to some of those creative endeavours I used to do a lot back in the day has been really nice. I picked up a bit of embroidery and weaving lately, as well as some photoshopping for a few challenges we’ve been a part of during this time. I would love to paint something again and get back into some of those creative hobbies I used to do so much.

6. The Sims 4

   Okay, okay, maybe this is silly. But I’m a huge The Sims fan. I remember getting The Sims (original one) way back in the day. We probably got it a little bit later than the release date, but I remember playing it on our HUGE desktop computer and loving it. My favourite thing to do was killing off sims, obviously. I bought The Sims 2 on our 2010 trip to America, which was 8 years after it had been released and a year after The Sims 3 had been released. I loved The Sims 2. A lot. I ended up with so many expansion packs after my friend moved on to The Sims 3 and didn’t need her Sims 2 packs anymore.

   I never got into The Sims 3, though I did watch my friend play it a little bit. I’m actually glad I didn’t get into number 3, as I didn’t like the graphics at all, and was a Sims 2 girl through and through. When The Sims 4 came out in 2014, it wasn’t really on my radar. My laptop was super old The Sims 2 wouldn’t even work on it. But then in 2019, I got a working computer and my Sims life was reinstated. And it’s been a lot of fun. Perhaps too much fun. These days I love building houses over killing off sims, but it’s still a lovely additional activity to do during Lockdown.

How are you coping with lockdown, self-isolation, or your country’s restrictions?

What have you found to be helpful for you during this time?

Photo by Hutomo Abrianto on Unsplash