?? Blog Alert ?? - 14 Days is a long time...

As I prepare for my final few days in self isolation due to testing positive for #COVID19 and returning to the office - I thought I’d share some of the experience, feelings and challenges I’ve overcome for those in, or could find themselves in a similar situation due to this current #pandemic. Even at the point of writing this right now, i feel arguably fitter, healthier and more motivated than i did 4 weeks ago!

3 weeks ago, I felt feverish, sick, body aches and a high temperature. So I visited the drive thru testing centre at City Walk, Dubai. 

PCR Result: Negative ??

3 DAYS later - I had lost my sense of smell and taste but had no other 'symptoms'. 

Another PCR test at a private facility: PCR positive ??

? Thus began 14 days of self isolation. Luckily enough...still being able to work from home. The ‘fear’ was real. Was I mentally capable of doing this? 14 days is a long time. 

?? Days 1-4 : With a depleted appetite, I found it difficult to maintain concentration at times, tiredness and a mental block ‘fearing’ having the virus. Adapting to another new way of working and living, albeit temporary. I struggled, but got a satisfactory amount of work done by the end of the working day but I wasn’t left feeling fulfilled with my effort as I normally would. 

?? Day 4-10 : I got into a routine. Forced myself to eat breakfast and coffee on my balcony before work, getting some #Dubai morning sun and vitamin D - productivity was on the up ? by 9am I was ready as if I was sitting at my desk in Business Bay, work phone relentless and results prominent. 

?? Days 10 - end: Appetite back. Motivation as high as possibly can be staring at 4 walls with zero human contact. I started doing a lunchtime body weight workout (so I stay in some form of shape ahead of the #UAE #Rugby season starting soon) and an evening mobility workout on top of keeping the new found routine. 14 days is a long time....but my god it’s surprising how quick those days go!

?? My #Advice for anyone entering an isolation period, experiencing isolation currently or for future isolation periods - is to ride it out and where possible, focus on your #Work where there are no distractions, no meetings, no ‘quick chats’, no ‘let’s grab a coffee’ and an #opportunity to get ahead of the game. 

?? Use the evening and weekend time to focus on YOU, to video call friendly faces, to use channels like as YouTube to focus on things that matter or to learn. I watched a series about the New Zealand #AllBlacks on #Amazon and spent an evening trawling through my #Spotify refreshing my playlists with new #music and #Podcasts for my commute to and from work, for my gym playlists and even for those long drives 

?? I’m even writing a #Blog on this experience which is something I’d never normally have done!! 

?? We will hopefully never have this downtime again, but use the time to your advantage. I genuinely thought I’d struggle, maybe even crumble and hit low points mentally - but I didn’t....I had something inside of me which is stronger than I thought.. 

I am now counting down the hours until I return to my office, my rugby club, my supermarket, my life.....and probably most importantly - my barbershop ?? 

Please drop me a message if you’re in a situation where you’re isolated, in quarantine or have experienced anything in these unprecedented times - I’d love to help and compare experiences. I’m not remotely embarrassed to have had COVID-19. 

I’d also like to thank each and every one of my colleagues and peers for playing their part. X