Almost two months have passed in self-isolation due to Covid-19. It doesn’t seem that long, but when you look deeper, it has been a lengthy and rough time for every one of us. We had to adapt to a new reality of social distancing and self-isolation and learn to cope with our feelings of fear and anxiety.
For me, it was an emotional roller-coaster. It started with an unbridled desire to do things for which I had never had the time before. Then, the feelings of indifference towards everything took over, and eventually I ended up with a breakdown… Being in social-isolation for such a long time is so unusual that it made me reflect on many aspects of my life.
Staying at home all the time with your husband and the child can be tiring and annoying. But there are also silver linings and lessons learned for me. I have a feeling that by the time this undesirable time ends, I will have learned a few things about myself. It definitely has not been a waste of time, although, at times it seemed like it has been.
10 biggest lessons I have learned in the self-isolation period:
- I have realized that I can quickly adapt to a new situation. In the beginning, I thought I was going to die without daycare for my child and without seeing my friends. That didn’t happen. I’m still alive and well, even without the rituals I used to have. I’m quite a well-organized person. I plan my family’s daily routine, with space for workouts for my husband and myself, including three home-made shared meals. Granted, every day looks the same but it works for my family, especially for my three-year-old child who just needs a solid daily routine.
- Working out at home, even with my son, gives me great pleasure, as well as physical and mental strength. It has become a fixed point of my day. One-hour workout instead of coffee seems like a very healthy routine, doesn’t it?
- I have stopped ordering take-out almost entirely. I cook fresh, healthy, vegan meals every day. I expand my culinary horizons by drawing inspiration from food blogs. The result is a healthy and balanced diet.
- I don’t throw away food anymore. I try to use everything I have in my fridge because I go to the grocery store as little as possible. I try to plan what to cook a few days ahead and make a shopping list. I don’t buy products I don’t need and I avoid compulsive purchases.
- I have stopped buying new clothes and shoes because I’ve realized I have enough. Frankly, I also don’t have any special occasions to dress up for.
- I have learned to overlook small things, such as mess in my apartment, a laundry pile, dying my hair, or allowing my son to watch yet another cartoon. I have stopped being perfect and I started to just be enough.
- I have understood that it’s okay to sit and be idle. I don’t have to be productive all the time. I really appreciate the moments with my son when we lie together in bed in the morning, playing and cuddling. We’re just not in a hurry to go anywhere.
I also wanted to share some reflections from the time I have spent in social isolation with my little son:
- Teachers are superheroes and their greatest power is patience.
- My video work meetings might be important, but not as much as my son showing off a new funny face he has discovered (and will try to show to everyone in the meeting).
- Self-isolation with a child at home can be challenging but it also means I get a lot more hugs and kisses during the day – that makes me so happy!
