All media, social and otherwise, is naturally fixated on the Covid-19 virus and how to cope. The recurrent themes focus on the three B’s; boredom, baking, and booze. 

When I was a student, a snow storm halted all activity in my city for three days. I was living on my own in a small apartment. This was pre-internet. Long-distance phone calls were an expensive luxury and I was not within easy walking distance of friends. As for television, I had three channels with nothing on. The isolation I felt was deafening. And for heaven’s sake, it was only three days.

In these current lock-down conditions I consider myself lucky. I have a backyard, access to entertainment, easy digital contact with others, and a partner for company. There are far worse situations — abusive relationships, small overcrowded apartments, single parents coping with small children to name a few.

Out of all the advice I have seen on surviving the lockdown, the one that resonates the loudest is to schedule some alone time every day.

As much as we may be craving face to face social interactions, there is value in families and couples locked in together to honour uninterrupted time apart within their living space. It might not be quite the same as having the house all to yourself, but personal space within these lockdown circumstances is an important part of self-care, for children as well.

Too much of the same company can be well, too much. Let’s be honest. Who doesn’t like to be alone sometimes? Like Tom Cruise in Risky Business, who hasn’t enjoyed the freedom of dancing in your underwear? Or whatever your alone time inspires you to do. 

The challenge for all of us is to find the balance between being isolated and feeling isolated.

Stay safe everyone.

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog.  Your comments, questions, ideas and shares are always welcome; Facebook, Twitter, or the contact button.  

Anne Milne is an every Sunday blogger.  I keep it short and to the point.  Topics are as wide ranging as a straight but not narrow path.