It’s often easy to forget the simple and beautiful moments in our lives during isolation. I’m definitely guilty of it. Luckily, it’s just as easy to start to notice those moments again. Over the past few weeks, my perspective on isolation has definitely changed. I’ve started to notice more of what’s around me and it doesn’t make me feel as isolated as the world i.e. social media thinks I am.
I thought I’d share some ways I’ve been spending my time of late outside.
- Morning or evening walks
- Impromptu and allocated social time with my colleagues over Zoom
- Messaging or calling friends who might be living alone
- Messaging or calling friends overseas who could also be having it much tougher than us here Aus (USA, Europe, China, India)
- Doing lots of DIY
- Learning a new programming language through a side project
People around me know how much I love social interactions, but over the last couple of years, I’ve come to love the Friday nights in the gym and Saturday nights at home. It doesn’t mean I’ll pick being alone over my friends all the time, but being alone is something we can all be content with.
I really hope you’re not only coping but looking for ways to thrive in whatever matters to you most. If we all commit ourselves to learn something new or find new ways to be better, the world would have gained new skills and stronger people by the end of isolation.
Maybe start by committing to a 10 minute morning walk, leave the headphones at home so you can notice things you previously hadn’t.
Call a loved family member, a distant friend who might need some help or maybe your best friend.
Above all, stay safe.