Embracing quarantine

Part reality TV show, part social experiment, part Trueman Show, there is no doubt that quarantine is a unique experience very few will have likely experienced before. Rarely are we given the opportunity to replace low quality digital distractions with high quality analogue activity. 

I started writing this as a guide to "surviving” quarantine but as we enter our 2nd week, I feel that “embracing” is probably a better description. 

While I have written this from the perspective of a family in quarantine in Australia, many of these “tips” can be equally useful for singles anywhere in the world. 

Have the right mindset – "We go where the eyes see” - if you go into it thinking it is going to be hell then sure enough you will find it the hardest weeks of your life. It’s a mindset – think of all the things you can achieve if given the time and make it fun. Items we packed included water markers to write lists, set goals and share positive messages on windows and mirrors...it's amazing how encouraging it is seeing the word "smile” all around you. We packed board games, card games, jigsaws, face painting, and a home spa kit. What better time to get silly than when no one else can see you!   TIP - don’t count down the days! 

Avoid conflict - a family in a confined space for 14 days - it is inevitable that at some stage something is going to annoy you but now is not the time to blow up and bring things up that may have been playing on your mind from the past. If it does need addressing then yes, talk it out, but keep calm and if you need time to recharge then exercise, listen to music or meditate. TIP - don’t forget the noise canceling headphones! 

Relax the rules – Quarantine is stressful enough without trying to run with the regular rules you may have at home (for the kids). Screen time, having to eat your greens, what time you wake up and go to bed. Be flexible.  TIP – come up with some silly and fun rules! 

Create a routine – this was a huge help in getting through the 2 weeks and helped install some new habits that we hope continue post Q.....make beds, change, brush teeth, clean the hotel room, read for an hour before any screen time; set time aside to move every day, movie nights. A smart watch is great for making sure you get those steps in or calories burned. TIP – create the routine together, it is more likely to be followed! 

Find time for yourself – in our case 50sqm is not a lot of room to be able to “escape”. Regardless, it is important that you find some time to reset without interruption. Whether that be yoga, exercise, meditation, reading, listening to music or an audio book, you need time apart – so work that into the routine.  TIP - don't forget to give the kids some space too! 

Reward/ Spoil yourself – you quickly appreciate all the things that you no longer have easy access to. That is no reason to not reward yourself so if you want that piece of chocolate or glass of wine go for it. Pamper yourself with an online spa kit, order things online – it gives you something to look forward to. I bought a mini expresso maker online and we gave the kids A$50 on day 1 to order anything they wanted. TIP – check delivery times, you don’t want it to turn up post Q! 

Try something new – have you ever wanted to do something but just never found the time. Time is now the one thing you have plenty of so roll out those books, paint, draw, create, build, innovate. Volunteer remotely. TIP – did know you can cook popcorn in a kettle, melt cheese with a hair dryer or make toast with an iron! 

Learn a new skill – if you are going to spend 14 days in a confined space then you may as well come out of it with a new skill. Learn a new language, learn to code, juggle, solve the Rubik's cube (one of the kids purchases above!) TIP – set yourself daily targets and track them with your window markers. 

Look after yourself – A chance to build in those new habits that you had thought about, read about, told yourself on New Year's Eve! We used it as an opportunity to not drink for 14 days, eat healthy, exercise daily and get at least 8 hours of quality sleep a night. TIP – much easier to do if you do it together or with someone else in quarantine – there are Facebook pages for every city that has Q restrictions.  

Be present - what a great opportunity to appreciate what you have and to really take in your surroundings both inside the room and what’s happening outside (through the window!). Stop looking in the rear vision mirror and don't think too far into the future. Live in the moment, you are not in a rush to do anything so be mindful of everything you do. TIP - Slow down and breathe.  

Spend time together - sounds strange when 4 of you are in 50sqm for 14 days but if not conscious then it is very easy for the kids to spend all their time on devices and you and your partner to sink into work mode. Instead play, be silly, create something together, put on a play, dress up, do a jigsaw together or go nuts with the face painting. TIP – build into the routine. 

Communicate - share how you are feeling, get everyone’s input, ask each other if they are ok. Stay connected with family and friends and catch up with all those people you have been meaning to reach out to but haven't. TIP – make a list in advance of all the people you want to "zoom” catch up with. 

Lastly, remember that they won't come in to clean the room or change linen etc. so keeping the room clean is a must. If the room is a mess, your mind will be a mess.  

So, with now under a week to go, I won't miss this room and I am not sure I will want to stay in a hotel for a while, but I will miss the time we all got to spend together, and my thoughts now are on whether I'll finish the jigsaw in time, solve the Rubik's cube in under a minute and complete the quarantine push up challenge.  

I now see quarantine as an opportunity to distance ourselves from the things that we would normally allow to control us, in order to become grounded - and actually look forward to another 2 weeks on the return leg.