Early on in our quarantine period, I realised I’d need some tools to help me navigate this time. Without them, I knew I’d likely spend more days than not in tears, frustrated at our situation.
So over the last few weeks I’ve spent some time pondering, and eventually honing in on four things that I need to focus on if I am to leave this time with my sanity intact.
Before sharing my tools with you, I need to give you a few disclaimers.
- None of this is professional advice in any way. I am a mum who writes in her spare time, and despite having a master’s in psychology I am in no way qualified to give specific advice (if you are experiencing mental health issues during this time please contact your doctor by phone in the first instance).
- My tools will possibly look very different from yours, sharing mine is done in the hopes of encouraging you to consider what your own tools might be.
- There are no right or wrong tools (with the exception of illegal things!).
Nature
Pre-pandemic, mother nature had become very important to me. And now, after almost a month of being in quarantine, she’s oxygen and water to me.
One of the things I love about nature is the beautiful ‘both/and’ of her. She’s both changing every moment and yet she does the same thing, season after season. There’s something about that part of her character that is very comforting.
Nature teaches me not to fear change. That change is inevitable. That change just is. But she also teaches me that change can exist alongside stability, and that both are important.
How can you get more of nature right now? I know many of you are being asked to stay in your homes or apartments and not even venture out for exercise. If that’s you, consider trying these things;
- Bring your attention to any indoor plants you have, learn how to care for them and simply sit in their presence.
- Pick up some vegetable seeds when you go food shopping. Start your seedlings off in empty egg cartons or toilet rolls.
- Change your computer and phone backgrounds to a favorite natural scene. Watch a nature documentary once or twice a week.
Whimsy
Whimsy has become an unexpected but delightful part of our lockdown. I have always been a planner, a stickler for schedules. But right now, schedules aren’t working for my family. I can’t explain why, except for the fact that we are all feeling discombobulated and out of sorts.
What does seem to be working is spontaneity, playfulness and whimsy. We are doing things because we feel like it. We are painting our toes rainbow colours, playing with makeup, and making playdough. I even let my 11 year old daughter dye my hair. If that’s not whimsical, I don’t know what is!
We are taking each day as it comes, following our curiosity, and dragging home autumn leaves and vines to decorate the house with.
This quarantine has given me permission to be playful, to let whimsy run my day instead of a to-do list. And it’s pretty magical.
How can you bring whimsy into your life?
- Follow a curiosity you’ve always had about … ‘fill in the bank’.
- Decorate the house, dress in your finest, and have a quarantine party.
- Plan and start creating a secret garden.
Connection
Humans are wired for connection. That’s one of the things that separates us from the other species on this planet.
Connection looks very different today than it did a few months ago though. We are being asked to physically un-connect to everyone except those we live with. And while at first I think this appeared a detrimental and negative thing, as time goes on, I’m suspicious that it’s doing us more good than not.
Firstly, many of us are connecting more with others. We are hearing from people we haven’t heard from in years. We are on speed dial to our extended family, and talking more with those we are in quarantine with.
Secondly, we are connecting at a deeper level than we ever had before (small talk about the weather is pretty irrelevant at the moment). We are being called into bigger conversations about our world, our environment, and these are good things.
And lastly, connection has become front and center of this pandemic. Connection is both how the virus spreads, and how humanity will survive. Connection kills, and connection gives life. Both, and.
Creating
I’m 100 percent positive that every human is creative. Even if you don’t cross-stitch, draw or play piano, I guarantee you, you create things every day. And creating things has become really important to me while being stuck at home.
Creating anything is a lovely mindfulness tool. And when we turn our attention to the creation of something and actively engage with the task, we tune out the anxious voices in our heads.
My home is surrounded by willow trees that are used to border the kiwifruit orchard behind us. A few months ago my neighbor taught my daughter and I how to weave with the striped willow, and this is one of my current creative outlet.
I’m also creating new spaces within our home. There’s been a fair bit of decluttering, but also taking the time to be a bit more intentional about each space.
Creating things is teaching me to let go of perfection. I have started a bullet journal for plant care, and I drew a pretty awful rendition of a watering can last night! But it doesn’t matter. The more I create, the more I learn to let go of perfection.
What could you create during this time?
- Go outside, grab something from the natural world and see what you can make with it.
- Pick up pen and paper and write about your experiences so far during the pandemic (did you know I’m collating these experiences and turning them into a project? You can email me yours to simpleslowlovely@gmail.com).
- Make up an exercise routine that you can do at home.
- Check out this post for more ideas and thoughts on creating things.
Before you move on today, take a minute to think about what your tools need to be during your quarantine. What has helped you calm yourself in previous times of fear or uncertainty?
Write down your own tools and make a commitment to keep coming back to them when you find yourself wandering into despair, frustration or anxiety.
