Musings

Gotta Get Through This – 9 Tips For Self Isolation

Gemma - Wheelescapades

I’ve lost count of how many days it’s been since I left the house. I feel I should have started a tally carved into the wall like a prisoner marking the days until release.

Leave my mark. A piece of history.

It’s what we’re living right now. History. I know every yesterday is the past. But what’s happening right now will be spoken about for years.

It will also probably feel like years.

I feel isolation is something disability has prepared me for. I for once have an advantage. Although not if I catch the thing.

I’ve learned that cancelling plans happens. I know what it’s like to have restrictions on where you can go and what you can do.

I was born to be adaptable.

I have always had a fear of germs and that feeling of dread when a person around me coughs.

I rely on other peoples cleanliness.

I’m one of those people that got the 12 week self isolation letter, and I have to say it’s currently going alright. I talk to my cats, but that’s nothing new. I haven’t started pacing yet, what a novelty that would be.

As someone that’s got quite used to filling the hours and enjoying the can do’s in life, here’s my plan.

I’m crafting my way through life right now

The 100 Day Project came at just the right time for me. I’d said in my aims this year that I hope to take part. Well what else have I got to do now anyway.

I’m somebody that has to have busy hands. They may not move well, but when my brain isn’t working and my fingers need to, I craft.

I started slightly early as I’d finished my previous project, and we all know I’m a little slow when it comes to the physical stuff.

I decided for these 100 days (which may turn into many more if I continue through self isolation) I would create a patchwork of sorts from cross stitch squares. One per day. Ish.

A close up of my cross stitch project. Geometric shapes stitched in bright colours.

Now’s the time to catch up on that TBR pile

Reading is something I do almost daily anyway. It’s a great way to escape life’s stuffs. When I find a good book I become so involved that often their issues can take up more of my mind than my own.

In the past month I finished reading ‘I Spy’ by Claire Kendal. A thriller in which a failed MI5 applicant accidentally becomes a spy in her relationship.

I also enjoyed reading blogging friend Ritu Bhathal’s novel ‘Marriage Unarranged’. I’ve always wanted to visit India but know that’s extremely unlikely. This romantic comedy filled with culture and atmosphere made me feel as if I have experienced a glimpse of what it would be like traveling with friends.

Currently I’m listening to The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, narrated by Tom Hanks. Can you get a more comforting voice? Well maybe Morgan Freeman.

Next on the list, this months book club read is The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewel.

What have you been reading lately?

The little moments matter

I’ve always been a fan of the small things (unless it’s slices of cake), the moments that make up a life. A truly tasty cup of tea. The sun staying out later each day. My cat stretching and looking content.

When life gets small, these things stand out even more. You learn to appreciate what’s around you and get excited by your favourite chocolate, this massive rise of your toad in the hole, or making flapjacks from cupboard ingredients.

A photo of toad in the hole. There are three sausages and the batter mixture has risen up over the edges.

A plastic container with homemade flapjacks in. There are sultanas in the bakes. The container has a green lid which is open and propped to the side.

Get on the mindless mindfulness

I’m all too guilty of scrolling through Facebook, Twitter and news websites way too much. At the beginning of all this Covid-19 stuff, when numbers were still shocking and I still had a slither of hope that the government may be forward thinking, I was checking for updates I don’t know how many times a day.

This wasn’t good for me or anyone else, and the only thing it was achieving was more fear. We knew the facts, we knew what we had to do to play our part and we knew nobody was safe. I cut my ‘news updates’ to twice daily and now they are sometimes less than once.

I’m not in denial or blocking it out. My phone still flashes up with headlines that I sometimes choose not to open.

It’s like a new way of living, a new acceptance. And that’s scary.

When thoughts creep up or news flashes rattle me I try to change my focus. The crafting and reading are good for that but there are other quick fixes too.

Rather than opening that news or Facebook app I’ve put others on my home screen. Colouring by numbers, sudoku and word search. I’ve been having a weekly quiz with friends too, so will open that and soon get caught up in it.

Am I more connected now than ever

I Zoomed. Yes you read that correctly. I had an actual Zoom meeting with real life friends in their own homes. And I got it working and didn’t get cut off.

It was a tea and cake chat in the mid afternoon, because that’s the kind of people my friends and I are.

A lovely catch up it was. The highlight though… seeing all their houses. Why did I not think of this before?! I don’t get to visit friends often, the main reason being I can’t get in. They’d all seen my house before, and now I can see theirs.

I’ve read articles and posts about lockdown being a more accessible world for those with physical disabilities. Putting us all on an equal par. Working from home becoming acceptable, nobody going on beaches, everyone turned away from the restaurants.

Catch up on those unseen films

Because Netflix alone has way too much content to get me through isolation I decided to add to that pile by subscribing to Sky Cinema via NowTv. They sent me an offer too good to refuse and I thought ‘hell, its unlikely I’ll be visiting the cinema this year, I haven’t yet made it there since I had flu in January, and I do love going to the cinema’ and paid up.

Browsing through endless genres I came across The Bodyguard. The 1992 film, not the 2018 series.

I know it’s a shocker because this kind of film is right up my street, but I hadn’t seen it. Or the live stage show, of which I must now see.

I was not about to let Coronavirus get me before I’d seen The Bodyguard, and so I watched and loved it.

I may now work my way through a Covid inspired movie bucket list, so if you know of any I should watch do let me know.

Being in the outside

I need to do more of this one myself. As we’ve discovered I’m someone that always has to be doing something. Not necessarily useful. I just can’t sit doing nothing. If there’s no reason to go outside, then I tend to sit inside. Doing my crafts, writing notes and blogs, making lists. All while watching Netflix.

This week though I’ve decided to eat lunch outside when it’s warm enough. I’m a cold being so that may not be as often as it should be. This weekend the sun was shining though and no breeze was to be felt. I even sat in the gardening pondering for a while after finishing my lunch.

Making plans

This might seem like a bizarre concept right now when all our current plans are being cancelled or postponed. I had many shows booked including Les Misérable, Rob Beckett, Derren Brown, The Killers and Green Day, all of which have been cancelled, postponed, or I’m expecting them to be. But it’s the short term ones I’m focusing on. Small aims. Have lunch in the garden Saturday. Sort out the wardrobe Monday. FaceTime and a cuppa with the girls Wednesday. Bake scones Thursday.

It always helps to have something to look forward to, and right now those little things are what we have.

Routine

I’m a stickler for it and always have been. Whether due to my disability and always needing to plan ahead, having set times for waking up and going out, or if it’s just built in me, we will never know.

Not having any outdoor plans and appointments doesn’t mean I’ve changed my routine at all. I find it helps to keep structure to the day. Waking, eating and sleeping at regular times. Getting dressed daily. Deciding to clean in the morning, watch a film in the afternoon. It stops everything blending into one.

I even straightened my hair once and had proper shoes on.

For most, lockdown and isolation will only be for a few weeks. There’s plenty of stuff you can fill that time with that doesn’t put yourself and others at risk.

So stay safe, stay home, and read my friends poem.

Am image to pin. The same cross stitch image as above with title text placed over Gotta Get Through This - 9 Tips For Self Isolation

Published by Gemma - Wheelescapades

Whenever friends and I are out we always end up discussing, critiquing, analysing where we are and what we are doing. From talking about the food we are eating, the soap in the toilets, the awful bus journey to our destination, anything and everything we encounter. Because of my disability (SMA type2) many of the situations we get into, issues we discuss and laughs we have can be due to wheelchair access. Often me getting stuck in mud or shingle, or me making my way through the most cram packed shop you can imagine, wondering how I am ever going to find the way out again! I aim to write a blog that describes these dramas, tells stories of our laughs, adventures and frustrations, while giving detailed information on accessibility and wheelchair access. Also I like tea. ALOT. The quality of the tea often determines my return just as much as the accessibility.

36 thoughts on “Gotta Get Through This – 9 Tips For Self Isolation”

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  4. I’ve been cooking up a storm and knitting like a maniac. (I’m doing the sleeves of my fifth Pandemic Sweater.) Two more babies were born in my family and all I could think was “Baby sweater!” Hang in there, Gemma! xoxo

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  5. I’m catching up on older posts, but I thought this was really interesting and can definitely relate to a few things here.

    I’ve always had a physical disability and my health condition came later. My physical condition meant that I know about inaccessibility and finding other ways to do things. Yep, sometimes it feels as though life isn’t fair because I have some restrictions that others don’t have. However, I think you’re right – it can make us more resourceful and adaptable – characteristics that come in quite handy now.

    I’ve got to the point on a couple of occasions when I’m all zoomed out – talking to people a lot at work and then other things going on in the evening, but overall I find it so much more accessible. Sure, I’m looking forward to hugging my friends again and meeting up with them in real life, but I have enjoyed joining some new groups without having to even think about how I’m going to get to the meeting or navigate the unfamiliar building. I hope we don’t lose some of the online habits we are building when other opportunities open up again.

    Take care and stay safe,
    Kirsty

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    1. I too hope that some of the accessibility and forward thinking carries on. People have realised there are more ways to do things than just the norm. People have been given the chance to work and be a part of the community from their home more.
      There are perks to our disabilities, and right now being adaptable is a useful one!
      I can imagine that spending a lot of time online for work, when it comes to socialising it can get too much. Another issue with that right now is not having as many excuses to be unavailable. It’s good to set aside a bit of chill time though.
      Take care

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  6. Pingback: If We Were Having Coffee – Life Musing #6 – Wheelescapades

  7. Also on The Dutch House. The comforting audio is so needed right now, ha! And The Family Upstairs was the first book I finished this year, I think. Really good.

    My day-to-day is much the same as it was, except the kid’s not in school, so y’know.

    I miss choosing to go out to places, but we sometimes can’t choose in real life either so.

    Stay safe.

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    1. Loved The Dutch House, that voice! And The Family Upstairs. Think we are kindred book spirits. Thank you so much for my audio gift, it’s next on my list.

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  9. Great post! I have been reading, watching movies and writing blog posts and I’m not even locked down in the same way as a lot of other countries are. We are only having 48hour lock downs once a week. Keep strong, safe and healthy.It will get better ♥

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    1. That’s interesting to know about the 48 hour lockdown. I wonder if that’s how we will gradually return to normal. I think that’s a while off yet though.
      Have you got any movie recommendations?

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      2. Oh thanks, I’ll take a look. I love a good thriller! Have you seen the original french version of The Upside? It’s called Untouchable and is brilliant.

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  10. Yes!!!! To all of this! And basically same here. Thank you for always being authentic! It is refreshing to read and totally relate. Even though we have never met I feel like I have known you for years!

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  12. Friends and I have set up a 4 pm Skype call every Saturday. Beverage of choice. I’m still working (health care) so that routine hasn’t changed but taking care. I’m enjoying your 100 day project! Blown away by the talent I am seeing every day. Take care friend.

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    1. That great to have a regular catch up with friends. Something to look forward to. I’m sure your work is appreciated at this unknown time.
      I’m enjoying taking part in 100 Days. Keeps me busy. Also interesting seeing your daily photo and the changes of nature.

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    1. It’s fun once you get there, but technology and I don’t always get along well!
      It’s a website and app that allow you to video chat to multiple people at the same time. So you can all see each other in different parts of the world.

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  14. I had no idea Mr Hanks does book narrations. That’s pretty cool. I’d say Freeman would also be an excellent choice though I imagine an expensive voice, too.

    I’ve been keeping up with your crafting on Insta, it’s coming along very nicely. I totally agree about those small things in the day to day and how appreciating the simple joys makes so much difference.

    That’s so cool about going Zooming, having a tea party & getting to venture into your friends’ homes without leaving your own. The wonders of technology, eh.

    I didn’t know there was a TV series of The Bodyguard. Will have to IMDB that. The film was a classic, glad you got to see it. ‘I will always love you’ by Houston gives me the feelies every time and I think of that film.xx

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    1. I didn’t realise he did either, I’ll have to check out if he’s narrated any other books.

      I think appreciating the small things isn’t new for you and I. But it’s good to remember.
      The Bodyguard tv series isn’t related to the film in any way. It’s a British crime thriller as such. Still a great watch though!
      Hope you’re well and staying as safe as you can.

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