My Life in Isolation

So, I am one of the lucky ones you could say with this. My work has made it so that I am working in self-isolation. Now to be clear, I do not feel sick, I have been tested and am negative for the COVID-19 virus, but I am still isolating myself and it is a choice. I may be one of the 97% who will be fine even in getting this virus as I am young and healthy and have a strong immune system. But I am doing this for the elderly, for people’s grandparents and old family members who may not be so lucky.

I live in a bachelor/studio apartment that is more or less, 8ft by 10ft. It is just one room essentially, with a bathroom attached. So, the feeling of stir crazy is looming very quickly, also to “help” with the matter the gyms are now closed meaning that I do not have to leave my apartment, for anything. I am here for 3 weeks at the least and I will be giving an update on what it is like being entirely alone for that time.

Week 1:

Monday was the first day of isolation and it was different. It was tough dealing with all the information coming out and dealing with everything closing it was a lot to deal with. It was nice working from home, because I got to sleep in longer and have breaks when it was needed. I was able to get out and about on a few occasions to get some groceries and prepare but that only added to the paranoia I’ve been feeling. The day felt okay but long, and I realized how quickly I can watch a show haha.

Tuesday was tough. Tuesday felt more depressing, probably because that was when the reality of the situation really hit. I did not leave my apartment, the weather outside was bleak and it came to me that everything was closed. Worse was that I was alone, it is tough being away from my family and that I am away from my boyfriend as well, so things are tough. It is hard trying to find the positive in this when also feeling trapped, but I am hoping that as the situation continues, things get easier.

Wednesday was a much better day. I felt reenergized after a much-needed phone call with my family and my boyfriend. Things were starting to look up as well, there have been positive breakthroughs in the world. Also, I found ways to make being at home not as negative as what I thought it was going to be. Getting fresh air, using natural light, turning off the indoor lights, taking a shower are all little things that made today better. It made things seem blah because they were things that I would do normally.

Thursday was okay, I had a bit of work to do but I decided that it would be smart as well to use it to make a list of things I wanted ot get done while I was home. I decided that on top of work, I would also reorganize and redecorate my room. Get rid of some of the things I once liked but now am unsure about. Also, I've decided to practice yoga more, trying to get more flexible which I have been wanting to do for years but "never had the time". Though my day was not as busy as I wanted it to be, implementing these little tasks really helped make the days not seem as long. I am hoping that as the weeks go by more of these things come to light. Who knows I might decide to even clean my fridge in the next few weeks.

Friday is tough. Because today I was originally supposed to have the day off and I still did have it off. I had a physio appointment which was hectic, because I was partly afraid of leaving the house. Thankfully I did not have to take the public transit, I was able to take my bike, which made me feel a lot better because I was not stuck surrounded by people. But the rest of the day was long and tough because all I could do was sit and wait, I had to wait until my boyfriend was off work to go do anything because everything else was close. All I could do at that point in time was wait and wallow in a doubt. I still tried to stay active, I still did a workout and a bike ride which were short lived but great.

Week 1 was tough, but I managed to make it through. It will be interesting to see what happens the next few weeks that I am stuck here as the world tries to figure out what is to go one with it. I ask that you read this you know that it is difficult to not do anything, but sometimes the best thing to do is nothing.