The sun is out inviting for a few moments of outdoor sunshine as a naturist. Still, it is enjoyable enough looking out the windows. as I couldn’t be outside very long. It’s cold out. While at the table having breakfast this morning, I saw a pair of Blue Jays. They are a first for me here in our yard, or even in our town. Usually, we have to be quite a bit further north to see these birds.
Today, my mood has improved. I finally decided to shave [not the moustache or the goatee] after five days of neglect. That was the first sign of a shift within me. I guess it would be similar to deciding to dress rather than stay in pyjamas all day like many who are depressed because of Covid-19. Of course, I don’t wear pyjamas. Like all naturists, the height of fashion means being totally bare. Still, I do wear a light sweater when it gets too chilly in our house. I’m not a glutton for punishment. I love warmth.
This morning I helped my wife set up an online bridge table which will be restricted to her friends here in our tiny prairie town. Now, they can play bridge at distance and not worry about gathering, as per their usual habit, in someone’s home. Social isolation and distancing is paramount. Her friends are glad that we have returned. Now they can stop worrying about us. And, with our return, options for filling in time alone are increased.
This is the power of community. Community normally exists outside of one’s home, with the home being a retreat from community into a private sanctuary. With Covid-19, community needs to preserved. Thankfully, technology helps with this. I imagine that over the next few weeks, various strategies will be enacted to bridge the distance of physical isolation.
For myself, I am finding that I am commenting a bit more with others who are on Twitter. It is a way of breaking my self-imposed silence, a way to stop lurking and start communicating more. There don’t have to be many words spoken/written [and yes, it feels like the words are spoken, at least inside of my head] to feel oneself stepping outside of silent boundaries. Our words are heard, and often values whether it be with a “like” or a “retweet” and especially with a comment offered in return. I can’t imagine going through this pandemic in total isolation, as though one is in a solitary confinement prison cell. This was what those who went into isolation during the Spanish Flue at the end of WWI had to have experienced.
What are your strategies for connecting to family, friends, and community as you self-isolate or quarantine?