Well here it is, upon us all. My husband and I had already decided to self quarantine 2 1/2 weeks earlier, as I had cold/flu already for too long this season, and we had concern about the information or lack of clarity of the information at that time. Now it is global, and President has declared National Emergency so enough about that, now what to do during the next 3 months as we are shut in as my husband likes to say?
1) Walking in fresh air. First, we walk and likely every other day or daily at public park in our town where few people are out and walking. Come spring and summer, that might well change to too many people to do the social distancing we would like. Of course the people at the park may well want to do social distancing also, so might not be a problem. And if the public park doesn't work, we have our 2 mile walk to the River and back. Today there is Snow for second day (March 2020) and news indicates the snow will be gone soon.
2) Writing. I thought blogging in my old blogs mght be a way to go. Also, using the greeting cards from the time of my mother's death to send out to family and people. Writing my and our memoirs. I have books to actually help a bit with that one, that I have ignored or not written in for years. And I prefer to write, journal as that is my way of remembering, frequently do not refer back to former writing, although my memory is not working as well as it once did.
3) Crochet/Knitting. Well for me that just goes with the time, whether coronavirus or not, as I have been crocheting for years. Recently our church prayer shawl group suspended itself due to coronavirus, and I was ahead of that one, making prayer shawls anyway to bring when husband and I decided to suspend our self-quarantine. I have a couple of grandchildren though, and it might be timely to online instruct them in this fine business of knitting/crocheting, using yarn they maybe already have.
4) Downsizing, Clean Up, House Redecorate. So many of us have some kind of clean up or clear up to do, ie, garage, house, spring cleaning. For myself, it is time to turn my winter clothing in my dressing room (a bedroom I confiscated to become a dressing room ... lol) to spring and summer clothing. I have much downsizing to do just now, and probably while thrift stores are not receiving much or people aren't using, I can at least separate items out. And well, I have not redone our home in couple years, so can think about how I might do it. I am sure that different people's juices are flowing as people think about what they can do during this down time.
5) Turn off the news, Facebook, media about the virus. I know I am frightened and doing stress related constant watching the news or Facebook to learn what is going on, and I also know that I need some relax time out, as do many of us.
6) Staying in contact with loved ones, people. Part of my own reach out has more to do with my own anxiety yet staying in touch and contact helps and takes away some of the anxious feeling. Recognizing I am among the fortunate to have a husband while many people are doing this shut down alone, I think it is more important than ever to do reach out and stay connected, in contact. Even though Facebook is among popular media platforms, using it in productive ways right now might help some. I like our walks, just saying hi to people seems to lift my spirits.
7) Kids at home. That is no longer my expertise, as I said we are the elderly population, no kids at home. Better that parents speak to this one, than me, yet already I am seeing ways to keep children busy while at home. I wouldn't mind a letter or card or two from youngsters.
8) Music. It is, imo, a language of it's own and goes a long way to calming people. Already I have found two places that symphonies are willing to livestream for Free their concerts. My husband likes music and is an accomplished pianist. Our home is filled frequently with music, the many playlists he has developed and the piano he plays himself to a) calm his own nerves and b) to serenade me (was the Memory Care Unit weekly, they have shut down for the interim).
9) Games, not Internet, not online, board games, cards. We haven't done this one yet, hope to, expect to, hasn't really happened yet. We both did this with our kids when they were kids. Might be something we will pick up and do for this shut down period Might be something for younger families, parents and children to do if they aren't already.
10) Crafting. I had plenty to do for a long while, in fact, purchased and collected. Didn't seem to have the heart for it after my mother passed. Or maybe getting along in years. I don't really know. Even as I type this, I don't seem to have inclination to pick the therapeutic manner of crafting. Wondering aloud who I could gift the items I might create? There is still next year. eh? Nonetheless others with the fortitude and inspiration may want to think about it, also an idea for useful child helpers.
11) Gardening. Not really an issue for me, I like to play outside with the yard. Lots of people do, and this would be the time to give that yard an thorough upkeep, planting, cleaning, while growing the newly planted vegetable garden and flower garden. Happy days, plus fresh air, and also that quieting of mind time.
12) Oil Painting, or any kind of painting. I look forward to it warming up a bit where we live so I can get some time oil painting on the enclosed deck which also doubles as our reading area, breakfast area, painting studio, nap time.
Other thoughts for how people might use this coronavirus down time are welcome.
