The subtitle to this edition is: nice things during self-isolation.
As a single person you kind of get used to your own company, but in the first week of self-isolation it was a struggle, I didn’t know how I was going to do this for months on end. Now, I’m kind of loving the peace and quiet and the more gentle pace of life. It feels like a gift and a time out of time to pause, reflect and just be.
I’m lucky though, I live somewhere with a bit of space around me. I’ve got a backyard and right opposite my house is a wetlands area with walking paths, frogs and birds. Side note: anyone else noticed the quiet and how lovely that is?
Like most people, I’ve been trying to do nice things to help get through the difficulties. Nice things for me make me smile or laugh, give me soul a little lift and remind me we are all in this together. I’m grateful to all the people who are lending their talents to entertain and ease my anxieties during this time.
So here’s a list of things, I’m finding that is bringing me joy during these hard days. (Will periodically add to this list as I come across things).
- I can’t go to the Ballet at the moment but I can stream it, thanks to The Australian Ballet streaming their productions for free.
- Samuel West is reading me poetry every night. He has a soothing voice and I am loving the ability poetry has to capture a moment, a feeling, to give hope and perspective on the world. (Who’s Samuel West I hear you ask? – Mr Elliot in Persuasion and a bunch of other stuff too)
- Patrick Stewart is reading Shakespeare’s Sonnets and I can’t tell you how much I love this, it’s unedited, he makes mistakes and starts again and it’s completely delightful. You can find that on all the socials.
- During an afternoon work break, I sat in my reading chair and rubbed Heminway’s tummy for ages. He was enraptured and so I was.
- #ThorntonThursday – rewatching North and South with a bunch of likeminded humans on Twitter. I’m aiming for Wentworth Wednesday at some point too.
- Getting to make a pot of tea and drink out a tea cup every morning. Usually reserved only for weekends, I now have the time to make a pot of tea with leaves and drink it from a tea cup.
- Mozart – always
- Marigolds they are stunning with their orange and burnt umber flowers.
- Meeting some new trees in my neighbourhood
- Watching families together out for walks on my estate
- Having time to read
- Jigsaws – it feels very much like we have gone back in time and it’s utterly charming
- The place I bought roses sent me their brochure and can I just say I’m going to need more roses in my life.
- (New nice thing) Anyone notice how beautiful the autumn leaves are this year. Particularly loving the claret ash and their magnificent colours.
- (New nice thing) Households putting soft toys and rainbow drawings in windows and on pavements to let little people know that it will be alright. If there was a stronger symbol that we are all united and in this together I don’t know if I could find one.
- (New nice thing) Going to church in my pyjamas and doing Communion with whatever you have on hand. I’ve done it with a cup of tea, hot cross buns, oat cakes and water.
- (New nice thing) Some married friends are making funny videos of their self-isolation world, includes K-pop dancing, meat BBQing and it has a level of irony and snark that I need.
- (New nice thing) Seeing the cobwebs glistening on the grass on an autumn afternoon.
- (New nice thing) Watching Fitzgerald stalk cabbage moths and hide in the garden beds
So that’s it for now… I know this time is extremely worrying and I’m in a very privileged position, there is much to be anxious about but I hope like me you are finding time for a few things that make you happy too.
Take care, stay home and breathe.