Things That Have Made Me **Feel Things** in Isolation.
23 April 2020 • grace's isolation, isolation, recovery
I
accidentally made myself a very depressing regular tweet template,
early
in
my
isolation.
(I’m
not saying I invented it, bloody hell, it’s not the most original
idea is
it?)
The ‘things
that made me cry today’ series seems to be very popular,
when I post my little lists in the evenings. And I’m really hoping
that when we are finally coming out the other side, I can look
back and recall some of them somewhat fondly…?
And
I thought the other day, why not take all of these sad instances and
feelings and throw them all into a blog post, y’know, to really
hammer home how lonely and sad my life is right now?
Photo: Erin Veness
So,
here are the things that have made me cry (so far) in these past 4 weeks (!) of
solo isolation:
Sandi
Toksvig saying ‘one in two of us will get cancer’ on the SU2C
Bake Off celebrity special. (I
remember when they used to say ‘one in three’, on the TV ads when
I was growing up. Fuck.)
Saying
to my friend who makes vegan doughnuts that I would order a batch,
but I have nobody to share them with right now.
When
mama told me she’s getting bread delivered to me by a local lady.
(St
Leonards sourdough, check her out!)
Boyfriend
saying ‘I love you’ over the phone.
An
NHS
text giving me tips on how to ‘take care of myself’.
Feeling
completely and utterly alone.
The
NHS
applause in my street — and my neighbour shouting up to me during
it, asking if I was okay.
When
I spent hours making an order with ASDA, only to then have a glitch
in my Chrome browser and lose my slot.
When
Radio 2 had the audacity to play Whitney’s ‘I Will Always Love
You’.
During
my virtual yoga class, because my body just needs a bloody good long
walk.
When
Netflix wouldn’t work because too many people were using it (which
conjured up images of my boyfriend and family happily sitting in
front of their TVs).
When
I heard the ‘Friends’ theme song through my neighbours’ window
(because
they were also washing up in their kitchen, and this struck me; it’s
a cute little evening in together, that I’d love more than anything
with a friend, or my partner).
When
I couldn’t quite get a pose right in my virtual yoga class.
When
I realised I’d broken a 6-day streak of not crying.
Smashing
my precious glass keep up when I knocked it off the table onto the
RUG (??!) on my living room floor, because I’d just bought it and
couldn’t just go and buy a new one. (update on this: Joco have confirmed they're sending me a new one, after I complained to them politely via email)
When I was watching a Netflix film and it cut to a scene in a hospital, and I heard the background sounds; a symphony of beeps, clicks and trolleys wheeling around, it was SPOT ON and immediately took me back somewhere very dark.
Every time the parents have visited me (from a distance) and I've had to watch them drive away, waving.
... I soon realised this was a very depressing routine I'd developed on my social media.
So, here are some of the things that have made me smile in isolation...
The time my virtual yoga classmate's cat wouldn't leave her alone throughout the lesson; he was curling around her legs while she did standing forward fold, sitting underneath her belly as she leaned back into downward dog, and sat happily in her lap while we did some body twists and neck exercises.
Having a hummus and nachos picnic in the sunshine, on my lovely rooftop.
The first time I peered over the edge of the roof and saw Fidget the fox, sleeping in the bushes beneath me - and I've smiled every time I've seen him since then. (follow me on Twitter for more updates. I am borderline obsessed.)
Reading a lovely book. Seriously, this horrid time is actually proving really good for getting through my enormous TBR pile.
Checking my Tamagotchi's health and seeing it say HAPPY with 4x black hearts (although he's been abducted by aliens now, and seems to be in that rebirth wriggly egg state permanently. Any tips for that?)
Pooping. No, seriously. It's a big deal. My buggered-up bowels hate me staying still; they rely on me going for a good long seafront walk, or else they put a firm stopper in things and sulk and stew. Yoga helps, thank goodness. That, and copious amounts of kale, coffee and lentils. (not all at once)
Parcels turning up around 2pm (my local Prime delivery slot, apparently) almost every day, from kind friends who have bought me something on my Amazon wish list. I appreciate it so much, especially since I started putting essentials on there (like water filters and supplements) that I can't afford right now.
Every time I cook myself something new. I'm really trying to branch out and be more daring with what I make myself for dinner/lunch, rather than just the same old pasta dishes and toast.
Every time the parents have come by to deliver me laundry, or the odd bit of food, OR just have a chat.
I hope this terrible time ends soon, but I'm making the best of it. How are you doing?
When I was watching a Netflix film and it cut to a scene in a hospital, and I heard the background sounds; a symphony of beeps, clicks and trolleys wheeling around, it was SPOT ON and immediately took me back somewhere very dark.
Every time the parents have visited me (from a distance) and I've had to watch them drive away, waving.
... I soon realised this was a very depressing routine I'd developed on my social media.
Photo: Erin Veness
So, here are some of the things that have made me smile in isolation...
The time my virtual yoga classmate's cat wouldn't leave her alone throughout the lesson; he was curling around her legs while she did standing forward fold, sitting underneath her belly as she leaned back into downward dog, and sat happily in her lap while we did some body twists and neck exercises.
Having a hummus and nachos picnic in the sunshine, on my lovely rooftop.
The first time I peered over the edge of the roof and saw Fidget the fox, sleeping in the bushes beneath me - and I've smiled every time I've seen him since then. (follow me on Twitter for more updates. I am borderline obsessed.)
I GOT HIM! I got his eyes! Everyone behold, my beautiful friend who keeps me company (from a safe distance) when I’m out on my roof.— _gracelatter (@_gracelatter) April 16, 2020
I expect he’s particularly knackered today because I was woken at 5am by unmistakable, hideous fox fuck screams. pic.twitter.com/TBHYhM7bjV
Reading a lovely book. Seriously, this horrid time is actually proving really good for getting through my enormous TBR pile.
Checking my Tamagotchi's health and seeing it say HAPPY with 4x black hearts (although he's been abducted by aliens now, and seems to be in that rebirth wriggly egg state permanently. Any tips for that?)
Pooping. No, seriously. It's a big deal. My buggered-up bowels hate me staying still; they rely on me going for a good long seafront walk, or else they put a firm stopper in things and sulk and stew. Yoga helps, thank goodness. That, and copious amounts of kale, coffee and lentils. (not all at once)
Parcels turning up around 2pm (my local Prime delivery slot, apparently) almost every day, from kind friends who have bought me something on my Amazon wish list. I appreciate it so much, especially since I started putting essentials on there (like water filters and supplements) that I can't afford right now.
Every time I cook myself something new. I'm really trying to branch out and be more daring with what I make myself for dinner/lunch, rather than just the same old pasta dishes and toast.
Every time the parents have come by to deliver me laundry, or the odd bit of food, OR just have a chat.
I hope this terrible time ends soon, but I'm making the best of it. How are you doing?
Plan the Perfect Post-Lockdown Get-Together! *
22 April 2020 • contributor
This
post was written by a contributor.
So
many of us have been stuck at home for so long
now, and it’s totally
normal (and quite positive) to have your thoughts set on what
you want to do, and where you want to go, when
all this is over.
One
of the things that probably comes to mind when you’re thinking
this way is arranging a get-together with
the family and friends you haven’t seen in many many
weeks. And while it’s definitely too soon
to make it happen right now, that doesn’t mean you can’t
start planning it. Here are a few things to think about…
Don’t
go too quickly and
organise
a party too soon. It’s
not safe
to do that yet, and
your
guests will
not be comfortable
with the
idea.
Hold off for a while, focus on the planning and make it happen when
it’s
officially safe to do so.
You
should definitely think about planning
a
menu
for
your big get-together. Think about the foods your guests will most
enjoy, get
some
prosecco
on sale
and
start stocking up on other drinks. Food
and drinks
are the most important aspects of just about any party, so these are
the things you’ll definitely want to get right.
If
it’s going to be a summer get-together, it makes sense to enjoy it
outdoors and make
it a garden party.
You can transform your garden and set up a sound system to play music
while people enjoy each other’s company and have a good time.
That’s what it should be all about, after a tough
few
months apart. (Bonus:
It’s safer
if you’re outside, with plenty of space.)
It’s
a good idea to keep
things small to
begin with. Post-lockdown,
it’s going to be important to still
be careful and not
bring
huge numbers of people together in one place. However, a small
gathering with your closest friends and family (still
at safe distances)
can be much more enjoyable at
times.
After
the lockdown,
safety
is
going to be one of the things that’s at the forefront of everyone’s
minds. So,
make sure you’re following whatever
new rules might be in place, post-lockdown.
It’s much easier to have fun when everyone feels safe and relaxed.
It’s
been really
hard, these past few weeks, and
there’s nothing wrong with
wanting
to focus on the things that will bring you joy and make you happy
when all this has passed. The tips above should help you to create a
perfect, small
post-lockdown
garden event
that
you’ll be able to enjoy with the people closest
to
you.
Distance Learning in Isolation.
20 April 2020 • Distance Learning Centre, spon
This
is a sponsored post! How
exciting! And it’s going to be all about these bizarre times of
isolation, and how the folks at Distance
Learning Centre can
help us use our isolation time to help ourselves a
little.
Okay,
gang. Let’s be real. We’re living in a very strange and uncertain
time, and I don’t know about you, but some days I’m climbing the
walls of my little flat desperate for something to do. Especially
when the weather is wet and gloomy, meaning I can’t even squeeze
out the window onto the roof for some fresh air… *sigh*
I really struggled with the first week of isolation; not just the
emotional side of it, but because suddenly I was on furlough from
work and being told very firmly to stay home, and ‘do nothing’…
well, that made no sense to me. I am the kind of person who always
feels a need to be busy and productive, and it’s only when I
literally couldn’t
make
myself busy in the usual way (going for back-to-back coffee dates,
taking on extra shifts at work, doing social media jobs for local
businesses and arranging local shoots with my very talented friends)
and stopped completely for a moment that I realised… I didn’t
have
to
be busy. In fact, it’s important for all of our mental health right
now that we chill, and take time for ourselves.
But
what if you want to do something, right now, that will help you in
the future, when all this madness is over? What if there was a way to
fill up just a little portion of your spare time, that would keep
your brain active and maybe help your CV out a bit, too?
Well,
why not take up one of Distance Learning Centre courses? These folks
are leading the way in home and distance studying, with various
options for different learners. They are super supportive in their
teaching, and provide innovative course materials.
Distance
Learning Centre is currently offering 250 courses you can take from
the comfort of your own home, and these courses cover a wide variety
of subjects; you can start on your path to becoming a teaching
assistant, or perhaps a health care worker, or even a web designer!
But maybe you want to get some key qualifications under your belt
first, in which case you can study GCSE and A Level courses (A1
and/or A2).
Surely
this is one of the best things you can do with your time in
isolation, if you’re feeling the need to be productive, but also
not wanting to completely overwhelm yourself with anything. The
beauty of Distance Learning Centre is that you can study at
your own pace,
from home, and their experienced team of tutors will always be there
to offer you support and guidance every step of the way.
Thousands
of students sign up online every year for home study courses, and
achieve nationally-recognised qualifications and/or certificates that
can infinitely improve their job opportunities. Why not become one of
them by enrolling today?
I’ve
been out of education for a good few years now, and in all honesty, I
really do miss sometimes. It’s like my funny old brain is craving
new information, and wants to be filled with exciting new skills…
Having browsed the options on Distance Learning Centre, I think I’d
want to take the Introduction
to Mental Health course,
the Astrology course, and maybe even add an extra A Level to my bank
– I always liked the look of English Language when I was at
college, and regretted not taking it alongside English Lit. Maybe now
I can give it a go…
What
courses do you think you would choose for yourself? They’ve got a
bit of everything, for all different tastes. There’s Cake Making
(!!), Social Media Marketing, Creative Writing, Media Studies,
Event/Wedding Planning, and so much more. Comment below with what you
think you’d want to take a crack at!
Some Simple Ways to Practice Body Positivity. *
15 April 2020 • spon
- This post was written by a contributor -
Body
Positivity was a concept founded by fat women of colour many moons
ago, and has taken off in a huge way since then. It centres around
the basic fact that we all deserve to feel great about our bodies,
regardless of how popular culture views the ‘ideal’ body. It’s
not always easy to achieve a positive body image; many of us fall
into patterns of being overly self-critical. To free ourselves from
these negative thought cycles and practices, we need an effective
plan!
Positive
mantras. Yes,
a lot of people might find repeating positive mantras a bit cheesy,
but trust us, it’s worth a go! Iskra
Lawrence once
said, ‘ Speak to your body in a loving way. It’s the only one
you’ve got, it’s your home, and it deserves respect.’ Makes
sense, right? So, try repeating positive mantras to yourself every
day. You could do this while looking in the mirror, or while you’re
simply sitting quietly by yourself. Repeat them in your head, or
shout them out loud, whichever you prefer! Choose any kind of mantra
you like; you could say ‘I am beautiful,’ or, ‘I love my body’.
Or perhaps… ‘I am perfect the way I am.’
Be
kind. Be
kind to your body. This covers everything from eating healthier meals
now and again, to boosting your endorphins by dancing around your
bedroom! It’s not about dieting fads, it’s about kindness.
That kindness could equally be treating yourself to some ice-cream if
that’s what you crave that day. If it makes your body and mind feel
amazing to stay makeup-free, then do it. But then it might make you
feel fabulous to apply red lipstick and pop on a lovely vintage
dress! Whatever makes your body feel loved, expressed, happy and
nourished, that’s the right thing to do. Show your body that
kindness. Besides this, be sure to keep up with your health care
check-ups, whether it’s cervical screenings, dental checks or some
cute
Ray
Ban replacement lenses
for
your new prescription!
Ditch
the scales.
It’s not a crime to want to be healthy, but seeking health and
happiness through numbers on a scale rarely works. Focus instead on
positive changes. Whether it’s trying a new sport or learning how
to cook a new nutritious recipe, focus on activities that make you
feel empowered rather than judged. We are all guilty of judging
ourselves too harshly at times, and body positivity is about being
free
of
all that. As Jessica Ortner says, ‘you can’t hate yourself happy,
you can’t criticize yourself thin. Real change begins with
self-love.’
Read
the right things. There
are so many amazing books
about body positivity,
reading up within the genre is a great way to learn and feel
inspired. ‘The Body is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical
Self-Love’ is an excellent example. In this book, activist and poet
Sonya Renee Taylor allows readers to make peace with their body
hang-ups and woes. Another awesome read is ‘Body Positive Power:
How to stop dieting, make peace with your body and live.’ In this
book, Megan Jayne Crabbe (aka the legend, @bodyposipanda) discusses
the true path to happiness, using her own experiences of previously
living with an eating disorder. Here you’ll get all the body
positivity tips
you
need to set yourself on the path to change.
So,
those are your tips to start on your body positive journey. Are you
ready and raring to go? Comment with any other tips you have! And a
little extra note here - do not feel guilty for any weight you gain
or energy you lose during lockdown. It’s a strange time, and nobody
will judge you. The important thing is you love yourself, no matter
what.
*
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