Lockdown is one thing, but when you’re told you have to self-isolate even though you feel as fit as a flea… it’s a frustrating fortnight that stretches in front of you. At least with lockdown you can still go out to exercise or pop to the supermarket to grab some milk. With a Test & Trace notification to self-isolate, though, the confines of your home and garden suddenly become the extent of your ability to roam. And when you have kids to at home too, it’s tough!
We thought, therefore, that it we’d offer a few thoughts on how you can perhaps use your time during such an enforced enclosure, and help you keep your sanity…
Pick a specific project
When you know you simply can’t be distracted by a trip to the supermarket, let alone enjoy some time with the kids, it’s worth accepting that you are at least going to be graced with some time to focus on something completely different. So we say, use it! Pick an upcycling project in your house, e.g. an old battered chest of drawers, or dreary filing cabinet, and transform it into something fun and eye-catching with a bright lick of paint. Or get the kids painting your old garden pots outside (with lots of space between you) in readiness for some spring bulbs next year. Of course, you don’t have to stick to household items, you could also rework some old bits of kids’ clothing by getting tie dying and jazzing them up a bit. And then perhaps you can all host a Zoom fashion show after the 14 days are up as part of an “I made it through self-isolation” party!
Make this Christmas a homemade gift one
Go on, you know you can do it! Get the craft kits out, decorate some old glasses, learn to make candles ,or soap, or crochet some hand mits. Make this THE year for handmade, homemade presents. And once you’re done with that, start making some Christmas decorations too… You’ll have a lot of fun learning, there’s no reason why the kids can’t join in as well in a safely socially distanced way. Your creations will be an interesting reminder in years to come of the year that was 2020!
Every day do 2 “either/ors”
What on earth is an “either/or”? Ha ha, an either/or is where you purposefully put yourself between a rock and a hard place in the morning, with the promise of something lovely in the afternoon. For example, make your morning choice: either deep clean the kitchen, or clear out some old filing. Neither is appealing, but either will make you feel much better once it’s done. And then you can make your afternoon options: either bake a favourite cake, or watch a film. With the work done in the morning, you can easily justify either of those to yourself in the afternoon.
The thing is, we know that being told to self-isolate is a doubled edged sword; you’re worried you might be infected and will possibly infect your family, and you’re fed up with the thought of 14 days stuck inside having to dodge the people you love. But take heart, the time WILL pass. So if you can have something productive to look back on once it’s over, you won’t feel that time has been wasted, particularly if you’re fortunate enough not to have caught the beast at all!