Coronavirus (COVID-19) Self Isolation or Quarantine - What To Expect

No doubt about it, March 2020 has been a tumultuous month for all of us (as per the image, you can see it's written all over my face at the moment), with further pain many months down the road. Although we will see a transformed world for the betterment of humanity that survive on the other end on the other side. (You can thank me later if you wish).

The image of this article is a selfie of moi. Although I am a fit, athletic, young and energetic 39 year old (as at the time of writing this); 2020 has been the year where my asthma has started to upset me (three attacks in one week back last month), and therefore I am taking social distancing (ideally six feet apart from others), and self isolation very seriously - where one can without going too insane. Would personally stay at home where possible, rather than risk taking up another ICU bed.

Who would have known that a pandemic such as this (SARS back in 2001 only scratched the surface) where the first person tested positive for COVID-19 in Wuhan, China on the 01/12/19 would rise to such epidemic proportions; with a total of 722,088 cases worldwide as of the 30/03/20 according to worldometers.info

My world started to show a glimmer of excitement when my UX/UI Design studies finally started on the 02/03/20, only for those studies to be disrupted with the death of a loved one that same week, followed by my studies moving to a remote learning environment quickly thereafter. The 16th of March was the first day I voluntarily landed in self isolation, with the exception of leaving the house to buy food; go to my part-time retail job, and to exercise. And for a couple of business meetings. That's about it.

To make your life a little easier, irrespective as to whether or not you are self isolating at home, or you're quarantined full stop; the below indicates what you're going to expect quite quickly.

1. You will be bored

Humans have a need for social interactions with other people, and we're not used to spending the entire (if not the majority of the day) indoors - irrespective as to whether you're introverted or extraverted. You will need to get creative and come up with a list of cool things to do during this time. If you cannot contact your friends, family and partner (if you have one); it is ok to stay in touch via phone or text. They're feeling your pain too. Empathy goes a long way, and please try (easier said than done) to talk about anything other than COVID-19. Your elderly relatives will appreciate your contact more than ever. Yes, consult the news, yet don't get sucked into every single media update, as this will make you feel worse for wear.

2. Thank goodness for the Internet

It is awesome to see some Internet Service Providers provide bonus data to their customers in this time of need and greater demand, rather than the need to exploit this opportunity. Imagine if the Internet was not in existence at this time; it would make an unfortunate situation of being stuck in our homes (especially if you live alone, and/or in an apartment setting) even harder, even if we're not addicted to streaming, searching and watching cat videos (to name) for hours on end. Using the world wide web saves time, and can also create additional income opportunities (although small, yet helpful) in this global health now financial crisis. YouTube have created a video about the need to stay home and take advantage of the Internet by clicking here. Personally, I am excited to watch this video for free shortly.

3. Your life will be turned upside down/hard to get motivated/loss of routine/easy to procrastinate

Yours truly has found this to be true in setting up a new, productive routine at home, even though calendar reminders have been helpful. It can be hard concentrating on a computer screen when learning a new subject (as in my UX studies, now with a new institute) alone for hours on end. It is easy to constantly text people, and stream the Internet. Personally it has been strange connecting on a yoga mat, and motivating myself to do an hours worth of yoga without pausing a video in between without the physical company of other dedicated yogis. Time heals all wounds. The best thing to do (despite being in the midst of anxiety and overwhelm with your new, unplanned and unannounced circumstances) is to take each day as it comes, and be gentle with yourself. Clear your head, and with time you will gain clarity on when it is the right time to study, as well as exercise, and so on.

4. You will sleep in/you will stay up late

Even if you consider yourself to be a morning person, you will sleep in beyond your alarm clock if you go to bed later than normal, because you're so immersed in the Internet; in watching TV, and/or in reading a book to name without keeping an eye on the time while in self isolation or quarantine. Everyone's body rhythms are different, yet while the world is in lockdown, and all non-essential activities are on hold; spending time solely at home or a hotel will disrupt your daily rhythms for a bit.

5. Get out of the house/continue to live a normal life as possible

I get that life is far from normal for all of us right now. Beaches and parks are closed, and even ordering a cup of joe in a ceramic cup delivered to your table at a cafe is off the charts. Ah the simple things. If you're a healthy person, you will want to go outside and get some exercise, yet it will be weird being alone or with another person with not many people around you on your daily walk. Go supermarket shopping, just so you can interact with another human being at least. There is no need to hoard toilet paper and other supplies. Have faith that the universe will supply all that you need to you in a time of need, as it will. Your life will be more comfortable with emergency savings to your name right now. If you can have a visitor to your home; embrace that opportunity. Yours truly is super lucky to still have her part-time retail job without being stood down as yet; however despite the cut in hours, I am still grateful to work at a chocolate shop while getting out of the house; working with fine chocolate, and interacting with some of the nicest customers right now, all while getting paid to engage in such.

6. Join online meetup groups

This helps humans connect in this tough time, and can help lift the lid on anxiety, stress and overwhelm in this time of need.

Additionally, you may also save a bit of much needed cash.

Please stay close, and I wish you all the best while we stay indoors as much as possible together, to help reduce the spread of this infection, and so we can all return to our normal lives as quickly as possible.