HOW TO AVOID BOREDOM WHILE SOCIAL DISTANCING?
In a time of self-isolation, one can easily fall into a boring repetitive routine. The chance of becoming anxious may be high giving the alarming news, the numbers that keep increasing every single day and the scary hashtags on social media. For someone who’s used to being active in online campaigns to raise awareness, it might appear logical to repeat the same behaviour during this period. However unexpectedly, I chose to share everything but corona-related subjects.
To put this into context, I had the privilege to be living with 3 other fellows from ISA, which helped me stay motivated until now. The “work together, live together” philosophy of ISA appeared to be helpful in these circumstances, for us to not be completely isolated from the outer world. Nevertheless, the methods described in this article are suitable for anyone who’s living alone and can be adapted for groups.
I’ve started by reconciling my relationship with the kitchen tools and doing dance workout all alone in front of a mirror that was deserted for over 5 months. Online shopping was my best ally to acquire new acrylics, watercolours, brushes, canvases and books. I was devoted since day one to be well equipped for my self-isolation process. The focus was to create a parallel world, one that regroups everything that makes my soul feel good again.
Here are 5 principal ways I came up with to fight negative thoughts and boredom during my self-isolation:
- WRITE.
A week before self-isolating, I started a blog, related to two of my dearest passions: mud architecture and storytelling. Writing and putting emotions into words have always been a way for me to release the chaotic thoughts into an organized way to the outside world. The form of a diary allows me to communicate without any limits or rules, with the only goal to write what comes up to my mind.
I would recommend writing, whether on a public or private platform during this period like Anne Frank did during her confinement. She even stated that: “the nicest part is being able to write down all my thoughts and feelings; otherwise, I’d absolutely suffocate”. During that phase of her life, she wrote a diary, but also 34 tales and even started a book. What an inspiration! More of my writings…https://breakdamold.wordpress.com/
- TALK.
Starting with lives on different social media’s platforms, I managed to give more time for public communication, as a way to interact with the outside world. Producing and editing videos to express my emotions helped me to work on my communication skills. In a time of crisis, calling my family and friends turned out to be a great idea. Having daily goals and checking on each other’s evolution is crucial to keep on the motivation.
- PAINT.
Art therapy is an important component that shouldn’t be neglected in this context. There’s no need for artistic skills, the idea is to experiment creating with no real purpose but to colour, draw and play with textures. I tried out many different techniques, in a small notebook I had deserted for a while now. More of my art work…https://www.instagram.com/tarbaabidine/
- DANCE.
Dance workouts are an alternative way to exercise while having fun and listening to great tunes. Online platforms can be a great source of inspiration, but also just turning on the radio and moving around according to the rhythm. Staying home doesn’t mean you have to be still or always in your bed, there are so many ways to explore a space, no matter the size of it. Watching myself rock those afrodance moves in front of the mirror is my favourite activity so far!
- READ.
Now that we have more time in our hands, reading comes as a great way to pass the time. If you are like me, you have at least 10 books on your shelves waiting for years to be read. Take them out and clean the dust on them to finally start to read them. Personally, I have a preference for fictional books written by authors like Agatha Christie, Elif Shafak and Khaled Hosseini. In addition to hardcover books, there are many free e-books that could be found online, all along with audiobooks.
- COOK.
… Or assist your roommates if you are a failure in cooking like me! Preparing a surprise birthday had me searching for ways to create a fake cake using pancakes and imagination. Without this crisis, I don’t think the result would be the same, neither would we be initiating ourselves in cooking chapati (an Indian kind of tortilla) for the first time!
Of course, the list of activities can be very long, from creating a pancake-cake for your roommate’s birthday, playing monopoly or starting to really cook for the first time. Just do it. Have fun and enjoy whatever small achievement you’re still capable of. Stay home, and try to have fun doing it!
By
Tarba Abidine
