Spreading Kindness from Quarantine
by Kate McDonald
Photo by Dmitriy Ilkevich
So here we are. Day twenty of official lockdown. I have been in my - shall we affectionately call it ‘bijou’? - Roman apartment for upwards of 480 hours. I now officially understand how Aron Ralston could have sawn his own arm off at 127 …
Ok no, not really. It is by no means that bad, or anywhere close to it. But the reality is that you have a lot more time to think, a lot less movement to stimulate your sense of creativity or excitement, and very quickly you settle into a rhythm that you can only switch up so much.
Read more: Top 4 Stellar Ways To Beat Jet Lag (And Currently Quarantine)
And don’t forget the ever-present, transcendental disquiet that you will inevitably forget, but that will return, unbidden and unwanted, just when your third margarita is really kicking in. Even for those who are outside of the immediacy of quarantine, it is impossible to ignore the lingering unease at the seemingly unstoppable escalation of our collective situation.
Given that we are all feeling the pressure of navigating life from inside a ‘new normal’, I wanted to think of some ways we might offset the fear and foreboding. When it is all too easy to focus on the negative, let’s change the narrative and do what we can to celebrate goodness, kindness, and friendship when we need it most.
Photo by Renate Vanaga
Let people know what they mean to you
This really is the quickest and easiest win when everyone is fraught with panic and uncertainty. It need only be something as small and simple as a Whatsapp message that reads “I’m so glad you’re in my life <3”. Receiving this on a day when everything feels too much, or indeed on any day, will move mountains.
Support local businesses
This may not seem immediately achievable given the whole “can’t leave your house thing”, or because of a change to your own financial situation, but there are easy ways around it if you are able to support small businesses. Order food deliveries from independent cafes or delis, buy artisan products online or purchase gift vouchers to redeem in-store at a later date. Why not send a little something to your loved ones as a way of actualizing point number one? Two birds.
Think about your local high street or favorite independent shop for inspiration. Support artists that might have had exhibitions or gigs canceled through Patreon. If totally lost, Etsy and Trouva are great places to start.
Support those less fortunate
Every day I try to ground myself in the privilege with which I have to negotiate this situation. I am fortunate to still have a job in a stable sector. I am fortunate to have a home, one that I am not at risk of losing. I am fortunate not to be ill or know anyone who is ill, and I have the capacity to go for provisions when I need to.
For those that don’t have this privilege, let’s try to help if we can. Donate money to homeless charities or food banks. Offer to help someone less fortunate in your apartment building. Make yourself available to talk to those that, for whatever reason, live in near-total isolation not just today, but every day.
Reconnect
So you know that person that you totally love but lost touch with and every now and then you think about reconnecting but life just keeps on going? Now is the perfect time for that person. I am going to be using this slowed-down lifestyle to check in with those I haven’t spoken to for a while, or with whom I don’t get to speak as often enough as I’d like. Creating reasons to look back on this time with fondness - hey remember how it was that whole coronavirus thing that got us back together*?! - will ultimately help us navigate our uncertain reality with more positivity and purpose.
*Inevitable and v important caveat - do not reconnect with toxic ex, k?!
Write a letter
Or a card. Or postcards! Really, just take the time, now that you have lots of it, to write to someone longhand. For me, it’s a lost art. Writing with pen and paper always feels more meaningful than a quick text as you take the time to consider what you write, how it reads and how you want to make the recipient feel when they read it. Plus, in these current times, a letter from the outside world will feel like the most joyous brush with magic.
By Travel & Lifestyle Writer Kate McDonald