Photo by jurien huggins on Unsplash
Disclaimer: I started this blog because I was overwhelmed with all the pandemic content of our new daily lives. In an attempt not to add any more to the hysteria, I wanted to focus on humour and the absurd side effects that come with being at home every second of the day. However, I understand it's an absolute privilege to be able to see anything positive in this crisis when the most vulnerable struggle more than before, and many of us are struggling financially and/or emotionally with the burden of care for children and elderly while trying to hold your own head above water. There are too many groups to mention in this disclaimer which is already getting too long, but I hope you understand where I'm coming from. Anyway, hope you enjoy this post.
I'm aware it seems absurd to point out anything remotely positive about this generation's first crisis that is so severe that it affects our everyday lives. However, I'm gonna do it anyway.
You've all probably seen the endless inspirational Instagram posts by celebrities who now have to get by without everyday luxuries such as artisan iced lattes and private jets. Traveling would be really bad PR for them in these times. My favourites are the new pseudo-hippies who have started writing captions as if they've dropped a tab of acid and now feel more connected to Mother Earth than ever before, feeling the urge to spread the message of transcendence, peace and love, or even better: this tragedy of an attempt to spread solidarity.
As there's never enough of an abundance of repetitive COVID-19 posts out there, I thought I'd do my bit and create a list of the few positive things that have come out of my self-isolation so far.
A bra-less state of mind
'State of mind' meaning state of my buh-hoobies who've never been happier thanks for not asking. Even if you're not blessed with a chest so flat that 2010 plankers (remember those?) could've used me as their surface, there's always a chance to go zero-denim. Or just forget about trousers all together, no matter the material. No need to discriminate. Perhaps we'll all come out of this crisis as convinced nudists. Going bra-less for two weeks now is a freedom I'm not sure I'll ever want to give up. I think I'm converted.
Not spending money on weekday drinks & Co. so I spend it on the lack of guilt I can now feel when splurging on avocados
As I'm writing this, I'm ignoring the anxiety that not-so-gently reminds me every day that there will be bills to pay even if I'm not able to work for the unforeseeable future. However, with no pub and museum trips to go to, or other social outings that don't include the House Party app, all there is really left to pay for besides the bills I'm ignoring is food. Which brings me onto my next point.
Forced to actually follow recipes on YouTube instead of just watching them for 'inspo'
I've wondered for a long time if this is just a me-problem or not. You know those incredibly aesthetically pleasing thumbnails on cooking videos? The ones that are likely to have some neo-soul or jazz music in the background? And cutaways showing images completely unrelated to the recipe? I'm not sure if it's the jazz or the visual aesthetic, but I've always found them incredibly relaxing to watch. A virtual, tasty escape from everyday life. The way I would justify bingeing a whole hour of just watching someone crush garlic cloves is by pretending I would actually cook some of the recipes. Well, there's no escaping now. Literally.
No more internal, angry fits at people with bad gym etiquette
Since my gym closed, I've been trying to get a sweat in at home. Surprising discovery: I don't miss the gym at all. I'm not sure if it's because I've cut my travel time to the gym down to 10 seconds (to the living room, occasionally the kitchen but that's proven to be dangerous). Perhaps it just feels good to have a new challenge. My recent theory, however, is that I simply don't have to get annoyed at all the buff regulars who can lift 40kg dumbbells above their heads but not put them away for two seconds. At home, I don't have to worry about anyone's gym etiquette. The only towels reserving machines (my kitchen chair) are my own. I'm not just my only visitor, but the gym is also my home. Good luck pissing yourself off (that might just about happen soon but I'll keep you updated.)
Finally finishing my 'travel books'
Before we were told to socially isolate, I would travel. A lot. One way I thought I could optimize my time spent traveling was to carry at least two books with me at all times. Because of some weird paradox that I'm sure there's a name for, I ended up being 'too tired' to start reading, or gave up after two pages. You'd think that the tube, where I have zero access to the internet, would be the best place to do some reading. Not according to my brain. I'd just re-read the first page every time I got on it, before proceeding to delete pictures on my phone. Now that I've come to the point where even watching Netflix has become boring, I've finally rediscovered what it feels like to just lie down and read for longer periods of time. The two books I've finished were one collection of short stories by David Sedaris called 'Calypso', and Cordelia Fine's brilliant 'Delusions of Gender'.
Have you found any positives during your social isolation so far? Any recommendations and revelations you'd like to share? Feel free to leave them in the comment section or start a forum on the community tab!
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