The New Normal!

You'll be pleased to hear that the pity party is over and I'm feeling more upbeat today!

I still think the UK specific instructions are confusing. It was originally suggested that people in my category would be self-isolating for twelve weeks but now the advice is to be stringent about following the social distancing advice, which seems to suggest that you're not expected to stay indoors but just need to avoid situations with other people. I know that walking in open areas is fine for the majority but I am unsure of the specific advice for the over 70s and other vulnerable adults.

Anyway, I put my thinking cap on and, together with suggestions from some of you, have plenty of ideas for this abrupt lifestyle change. All of the clubs and associations I belong to have suspended all activities indefinitely so, with this in mind, I had a bit of a brainstorming session and have come up with the following list of ideas to keep myself occupied. I'll still try to stick to my normal routine, so chores will happen in the mornings, and I'm unlikely to get round to doing everything on the list, but it's good to have it in one place for future reference:

To replace the three key groups that are now suspended:
  • I've found a mahjong app which follows the same rules I've been taught, so I can keep on playing,
  • I have to complete the WPSH and then can set up a few mini photo projects for myself to replace the photography group,
  • M, the director of the choir, emailed to say that she's setting up online singing activities for us. I don't know the exact details yet but that will replace the Monday evening choir sessions.
and to keep myself amused:
  • I bought a selection of puzzle books to dip into as and when,
  • I have some jigsaw puzzles in the cupboard,
  • I can select a new piano piece or two to work on or can play any of my other instruments,
  • Regular calligraphy/zentangle practice,
  • I'm waiting for deliver of the wool to crochet a crocheted blanket,
  • borrow eMagazines from the library, 
  • I have plenty of books in the bookcase and on my Kindle,
  • Watch a YouTube tutorial on using Lightroom (my photo editing software),
  • virtual tours of museums and art galleries,
  • Netflix, 
  • Re-read the Harry Potter books or have a film fest, or both!!
  • download concerts.
I have three bigger projects I can focus on as the decluttering is now on the back burner:
  • the back garden, assuming I can order supplies online,
  • continue research on the family tree,
  • continue sorting and renaming my digital photo files
and I also need to review my 'When I'm Gone' folder. 

If I decide that it's okay to go out for walks, the National Trust has announced that they are allowing free access to all of their parks and gardens so that will provide safe photo opportunities if that's what I want.

In terms of self care, in particular my emotional well being, I can keep in touch with everyone via phone, text, Facebook, Skype, and of course the online blogging community. I've also decided to limit my exposure to the news reports. I will keep myself properly updated watching the Prime Minister's daily bulletin and by following the government website but will avoid the more sensational and often scaremongering newspaper articles. 

It all feels more doable today. We're all in the same boat and we're in it for the long haul and I'll do everything in my power to follow the government advice. As for tonight ... I'm off to the theatre! One of the London theatres has provided a free download of the Wind in the Willows musical, so I'm about to take my seat and lose myself in the adventures of Toad, Ratty, Badger and Mole.

See you tomorrow!

Comments

  1. Enjoy WITW! My group put it on last year and it was charming.

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    1. PS. Yes, I too am suffering from newsbite-overload and am making a conscious effort to avoid the "stream". Also getting mighty sick of the journalists and politicans who think this is a good opportunity for pointscoring and unconstructive, often contradictory, cricism. I feel better already!

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    2. I've been puzzling out what WITW was! In my defence, it's been a long day. I can't get it to download so will try again tomorrow.

      I listened to our local news immediately after the PM's briefing and was shocked to hear their twist on what the PM actually said. I think they're responsible for a lot of my anxiety about the situation which is my reason for selective viewing.

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    3. Did you catch the start of the new series of The Repair Shop tonight? New time slot and an hour long!! Fill yer boots.

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    4. No I don't have the TV on. I'll watch it on iPlayer tomorrow. Thanks x

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  2. Sounds like you've got it nailed. Ive just finished a crochet blanket for my daughters new house (she moves in a couple of weeks). I have leftovers so will start another. I think many of us are suffering from 'news overload'. It makes me anxious and yet I'm hooked on the updates. Very difficult times

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    1. I don't know how I'll get on as this will be the first thing I've ever tried to crochet.

      The situation is changing so rapidly that you don't have time to digest one piece of information before another change is announced. I'm trying to stay informed without being overwhelmed.

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  3. Sounds like a plan! There are far more people out than there usually are. I am making sure I'm getting up early so I can have a quiet walk lol. I'm not sure how long it will be here until they ban that stuff too. My Mum's choir was cancelled. She doesn't go out for many group things only her choir and church. She is still going up to the shops for now.

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    1. There's an online choir that your mum could join for the duration if she misses the singing. My sister told me about it today.

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  4. My mood seems to fluctuate, I am resolved not to listen to too many news bulletins. They make me feel anxious. Channel 4 news is quite hysterical, every interview looks at the worst case scenario. I switched over and watched yesterday's Back in Time, the corner shop. A gentle cruise through the 1970's. Mood much improved!

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    1. I'm ignoring all the Facebook 'expert' videos as well. Yes, channel 4's approach to the news is completely over the top and is unsettling.

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  5. Today I participated in the neighbourhood activity for the kids. There's a Mom on F/B that is taking the lead, to encourage parents to take the kids out daily for long walks & to make it like a scavenger hunt for the kids, all the home owners are asked to put into their front windows the item on the hunt for that day. Yesterday it was shamrocks, Thurs it will be a funny face. It was fun crafting up these items so I can participate. Then the kids tally how many they found each walk. I am so impressed how creative people are making the time. I also see that Ali Edwards is offering a bundle of her workshops for free, as is Cathy Z. I've signed up for all of them. I hope that your Toad, Ratty, Badger and Mole all show up on the live feed for you.

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    1. The scavenger hunt for kids is a brilliant idea and a lovely way of bring the neighbourhood together. Dire as the news is, there are also so many examples of online community and creative ways of bringing people together in the virtual world that it gives me hope.

      I couldn't get the download to work for the musical so will try again today.

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  6. That sounds like a good plan.

    I also have to complete WPSH. 😊

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    1. I've extended the WPSH and added some more alternative choices so that people no longer need to leave their homes. There's a post about it today.

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  7. I'm glad to read that you are feeling more cheerful about the situation and have made some plans as to how you'll spend your time at home. :) I heard about an on-line choir someone had started in the UK - the person organizing it said he was inspired by the Italians singing from their windows and balconies. Might be something to look into. :) I will officially start on my self isolating, tomorrow. Today, I had to run a couple of last errands and I managed to take a photo for the WPSH! 6 more to go!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. M, our choir director is doing something similar for us but I will try to join the other online choir as well.

      There's a new post about the WPSH, extending the finishing date and adding some more alternatives.

      Good luck with the self isolating.

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  8. I'm avoiding the endless reporting and supposition stuff too, just checking for updates. It feeds fear and worry and they really are things that don't need encouraging. Positivity is the name of the game.
    The download sounds fab - have I( missed it or can it still be accessed, I wonder.

    I think I will follow your excellent example and have a good long think about how to organise my days and what I want to do to fill the gaps. Thank you.
    xx

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    1. I couldn't get the download to work last night so will try again today. Here's the link:

      https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/wind-in-the-willows-coronavirus-stream-free_51205.html

      Hope it works for you.

      I feel much more at ease now that I have proved to myself that I have more than enough ways of filling the time. Boredom on top of all the worry will push me over the line into depression and I obviously want to avoid that happening.

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