We are experiencing life as never before. Because Covid-19 is running rampant, we've been instructed to self-quarantine. A new phrase with frightful overtones. If and when we go out, we're to keep our distance from others—for fear of catching the virus and to avoid causing someone else to die. We don't know if we're a carrier, immune or extremely vulnerable to this silent enemy that's causing havoc across the globe.
Even though I'm a writer and used to spending time indoors at my computer, this isn't Life As Usual. I can't concentrate well on the novel I'm so close to finishing, but I refuse to put pressure on myself. Even when I'm not watching TV and getting the latest figures, I know I am anxious—for my loved ones; for my own health; for those who risk their lives to care for the sick and those who work so that our basic needs are met; for our economy; and for people who have lost earnings.
Self-quarantine gives us more free time than we're used to. To clean out closets and go through drawers, if that's your pleasure. It also gives us more time to think. Here are some things that have crossed my mind.
I am grateful for electronics that allow me to see my family members on FaceTime and
communicate with my writing pals via Zoom, Facebook, and emails. Thus, I never feel alone or unforgotten.
I am grateful that spring is coming. The budding trees and plants remind me that we will get past this coronavirus season and things will settle down. The good weather lets me walk with friends—my in-person socialization for the day.
I am grateful for Sammy, my loving cat, who never leaves my side.
I find myself reminiscing about trips abroad and excursions into the city with my husband who died seven years ago.
Though I am a social creature, I realize I enjoy my own company. I love reading, doing puzzles, watching movies and series, and knitting—all solitary activities.
And I am so glad that writing is my way of life. I write even when I'm not working on my Work In Progress—in emails and messages to friends and family or jotting down thoughts and ideas for future novels. Writing is how I best express myself and helps me stay sane through this coronavirus time.
Amen and fully agree!
ReplyDeleteWe may as well put a positive spin on our isolation, and enjoy the advantages of having so much more time to do what we want.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid in my case, however, that definitely does not include cleaning out closets and drawers.
Thanks, Debra and kathleen.
ReplyDeleteI'm a strong believer in NOT cleaning out closets and such at this time unless you enjoy it on some level. Now is the time to be kind to yourself.
I had big plans...closets, the garage, the weed-choked gardens, but I'd rather be writing.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful for having friends like you, Marilyn, and all the members of our WWK group. I've been busy promoting my new book coming out, so I have to sit in my chair and write. Once that's accomplished, or as much as I can accomplish, then I'll focus on other things--like cleaning out the garage. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteI'm very much being kind to myself. I'm taking long, long baths--which I would do anyway, but now I'm doing it without any guilt. I've had a lot of writing projects to work on, and taxes, so I probably won't be cleaning out anything, except my financial files. I'm grateful that I'm on a fixed income, since it isn't affected by the crisis and it won't go down, like that of so many others--unless the whole financial system collapses, I guess. But that's a bridge to cross when it crops up, to mix a metaphor. As the comic character Crankshaft said, We'll cross that bridge when we burn it. (I THINK that's the wording. Don't quote me.) Stay safe, everyone.
ReplyDeleteI always thought that if stuck at home (under house arrest, for example -- that's the kind of thing a writer imagines, isn't it?) I would go through my closets and drawers and so on...nope. I'm doing stuff I enjoy, or stuff that's rather tranquil if often boring, such as knitting and crocheting. I may even accomplish my bucket list item of knitting socks if this goes on long enough. (But I hope it doesn't. That's one item on my list that I'd be happy to do without.)
ReplyDeleteSanity is overrated.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your comments—and for your coping methods. Or lack of them.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
Hi Marilyn, I have done some of that less-fun stuff, like cleaning out closets, which made me feel pretty virtuous - for the first week or so of "captivity."
ReplyDeleteI should be writing more, but am feeling very distracted, so when that happens I go for a walk. I'm grateful this pandemic is hitting during spring. The beauty of the natural world is a comfort, isn't it?
I agree, Shari, that spring does help us at this difficult time. I admire you for tackling some of those less than fun chores. And I, too, feel distracted when it comes to writing. But now that I have a deadline, I have no choice but to sit and get the words out. Actually, I'm happy that I do. Today I started writing my new book!
ReplyDelete