Social Distancing has been trending for a month on social media, and has caused everything from moderate panic to job loss to downright insanity (has anyone figured out why everyone thought massive amounts of toilet paper should be hoarded??)
Covid-19 isn’t dysentery, folks. But all that goes to say, we are living in strange times. I know a lot of people are quite reasonably afraid – whether of getting sick, or their relatives getting sick, or the ramifications of losing their job for weeks or indefinitely, etc., etc – and this is the same all over the world. I myself will be without income until who knows when, and the outbreaks might stop me from getting the job I really wanted (teaching English in Korea!) for some time yet, as I mentioned in my previous blog post. I can’t wait tables from home, and I’m looking into teaching ESL on line. So I am also uncertain. However, I do have one advantage in this situation: I’m an introvert.
Since my brain has been over-stimulated by social interaction for the past 6 months and counting (10-13 hr shifts waiting tables combined with school), I have found that my creative energy is low most days – until the last four days where I have been mostly in my house with just my sister for company. My brain reawakened, and now I have 1000+ projects all wanting my attention. I suspect many introverts currently feel the same. But how about my extroverts out there? Make sure you facetime people, text your friends, and let people know if you are having a hard time being alone!!
SO, how am I using my time? Anyone who has ever read my blog knows that I like lists, so here are my top 5 recommendations for how to use your time in relative isolation:
Be (stay!) Active
Whether it is walking around the block twice a day, or doing morning yoga, or even doing a virtual fitness class , you will feel better if you are active. Doctors back this up, therapists back this up, and I myself have found, personally, that keeping up with my fitness routine does wonders for my mental health. And hey – what if you could come out of this time looking AND feeling better? YouTube is my go-to for workout routines and inspiration, and I usually switch up my daily routine between cardio, strength-building, and calisthenics.
So for the “virtual fitness class,” I’ve been facetiming my younger sister (who still lives with my parents but frequently works out with me), and setting up a YouTube playlist that we both access from our respective TVs, and then we do the routines together but separately in real time. It’s more fun, and keeps us both motivated. If you have offline friends who are also missing weekly Zumba, yoga, or gym meetup, etc., then you should definitely consider doing this so you can still work out “together.”
My favorite and most used YouTube Fitness channels are Blogilates (pictured above), Yoga With Adriene, Leilah Isaac (Bellydance/Dance Fitness), Kpop Fitness (Puts fitness videos to kpop), Cardio Party Mashup (Cardio set to music), Emi Wong (General routines), Mark Kramer Pastrana (Dance Fitness/Zumba), and Chris Heria (Calisthenics and strength-building). Let me know if you have any recs in the comments! (Or if you try any of these out)
Get Creative – Pull out those projects
Working on something I love is not only therapeutic, I love to see things accomplished. Even if you aren’t “creative,” now is the time to work on a project that interests you. Organizing the garage? Building a shelf? Coloring a page in that adult coloring book you received as a gift three birthdays ago? Especially if you have kids, getting out some paper and colored pencils or watercolors is a great way to flex your creative muscles. Use some plain white cardstock and draw pictures or decorate your letters to make cards to send to friends and family also self-isolating. Bloggers and pinterest boards have literally thousands of ideas for all skill levels and attention spans.You might discover a new passion or hobby – who knows?
I love words and typography art, and I used to draw all the time. I combined that with my love of textile and clothing design, and I have been using a plain pair of cream-colored jeans as a canvas for the type of collage/word-art stuff I used to do in high-school. Not only is it fun, it’s nostalgic and something I haven’t had much time for in the past few years. I put on my crafting playlist (see the end of this post), and just start where I feel like it.
So maybe this feels too overwhelming? There is a ton of art and literature already out there for us to enjoy, which brings me to my third way of spending time:
Read, read, read
Scribd.com just made their library of ebooks and audiobooks free for thirty days if you sign up at the website (I just did!). Even if you don’t want to sit down and read, consider listening to an audiobook while you’re cleaning or coloring or doing dishes.
Of course, with libraries shut down, it might be harder to find physical books you want to read – but I guarantee you or someone you know has books sitting around waiting to be read “someday.” Just pick one up and start reading. Many libraries also have ebook libraries that members can access, so check out your local libraries’ websites. And hey – ebooks are cheaper than regular books, so why not purchase a book or two if you have a little money you can spend? My go-to is fantasy, as that is the genre I tend to find the most books I enjoy in.
If you like fantasy, fairytale retellings, or paranormal – check out W.R. Gingell’s collection of varied and fun ebooks here. Her ebook titles are under $5 and she is a talented author that will appeal to fans of Jessica Day George, Diana Wynne Jones, and Gail Carson Levine. Alternatively – you should read Wicked Fox by Kat Cho – it’s like a Korean drama YA style that vividly modernizes the Gumiho (tailed-fox) set in Seoul, with a lot of heart and angst and adventure. It also made me hungry (the descriptions of Korean food, lol).
Not a fan of the romance and “happy” endings? R.F Kuang‘s The Poppy War and The Dragon Republic are epic dark fantasy – fantastically written and imagined. But be advised that they contain graphic violence, adult themes and language, and characters that will 100% make you frustrated.
Alternatively, if you want to read but have trouble sitting still and focusing (like me), try Webtoons or comics. I love Webtoons (a little too much – I am subscribed to 30+ series and have stayed up till 2am reading them too many times). It’s a great time to find independent artists, authors, and illustrators to support with your time and/or money. Webtoons.com is available in many languages, and is accessible from any computer, phone, or tablet. Some series I love include Save Me (Drama), Rot & Ruin – The Webtoon (an adaptation of Jonathan Mayberry’s YA series that I LOVE*), Eleceed (Superhero-type individuals and CATS), and Not Even Bones (another YA adaptation that makes me want to read the book 100% more not). There is something for everyone.
Write. Or Start Writing
Whether it is a letter to a friend, a journal of your thoughts and emotions, or that novel you have been sitting on, there has never been a better time to write. I am setting aside time every day to either blog or work on one of my novels-in-progress/editing. Getting words on paper does wonders for my mental health, and I have many friends who also feel that putting a pen to paper (or typing) helps them think better. So if you’re feeling things because of everything going on – write about it, even if it’s just for you to read back on in ten years. If you have a cool hobby, now is a good time to write or blog about it for people who are bored and need something to read (see above).
If you are already a writer (like yours truly), now is a good time to edit, edit, edit! Considering a professional editor, or querying agents, or even looking into self-publishing are things that can all be done in times of social isolation. I am currently looking into self-publishing (so much work, yikes!), and juggling WIPs, so I have a lot of things to do for the next few weeks. I’m grateful for the time to devote to something I love, and I’m trying to think about that instead of what the loss of income means for me.
And you know what – sometimes it is too much to create, or read, or write, or even clean. In those times, video games and streaming services are there. But why not make a party of it – leading to my final way of spending social isolation:
Netflix Party! (Or Disney +, Hulu, Vudu, etc.)
Want to watch a show or movie with friends, but you can’t go sit with them irl? Well, there is a Chrome extension called Netflix party that will let you watch and comment in real time with your friends if they are also using it. Alternatively, watch the same show and use Facebook Messenger chats, WhatsApp, Kakao Talk, Google Hangouts, or any similar method to discuss the show/movie with your friends while watching. You can do this with books too – and have a virtual bookclub. And if you are the person who keeps a running commentary during a movie (this annoys a lot of people, I know), then here is a quiet way of doing just that – but quietly. And no one in your own house will (probably) get mad at you for having your phone screen on while watching. Make it more fun by cooking snacks and sharing photos in the chat. I could write a whole other post on recommendations, but I’ll just my current top 3, and please let me know if you have watched them, or if you have any recommendations!
- If you like The Walking Dead, Grimm, Supernatural, Return of the King, Train to Busan, Game of Thrones, Underworld, or A Quiet Place, watch Kingdom (Netflix). Kingdom is a historical thriller set in Joseon Dynasty Korea involving both political intrigue and zombies. I could write a post about why it is one of the best shows ever (and maybe I will), but if you like any/all of the above titles, and want to see phenomenal cinematography, costumes, special effects, and writing along with your usual zombie horror, then Kingdom is what you’ve been waiting for. (Note: This show deserves the MA rating – it is frequently violent and disturbing due to the subject matter, and neither the zombies nor the corrupt government officials spare innocents)
- If you like westerns, The Lone Ranger, The Seven Samurai, Firefly, Battlestar Galactica, or Star Wars Rebels, watch The Mandalorian (Disney +). Everyone has seen baby Yoda from this show, but you have to actually watch it to understand how painfully adorable the small alien and his guardian (adoptive father) are together. You too would risk everything for baby Yoda after two episodes. Cuteness aside, the writing and directing are solid, with a western, lone gunman feel that is refreshing and fun to watch. It’s more about character and story than many shows on tv, and also pretty family friendly, hanging out in the PG/PG-13 range. My only complaint is that we all have to wait for a second season now . . .
- If you like Beauty and the Beast (any version), Jane Eyre, Labyrinth, Pride and Prejudice, Goblin (Korean Drama), redemption arcs, The Sixth Sense, Once Upon a Time, Grimm, and costume dramas, watch Hotel Del Luna (Viki.com). With gorgeous costumes, soundtrack, (and actors), and a lot of ghosts, this unusual Beauty and the Beast + Count of Monte Cristo + Sixth Sense-esque drama is thoroughly captivating. While the story starts off slow, the interesting characters, individual ghost stories, and the well-handled themes of redemption and forgiveness made this show really stand out. Also, IU (singer and actress) as the lead antagonist/female lead Jang Man-wol, an immortal (?) and mysterious owner of a hotel for ghosts lost between life and the afterlife, is fantastic. Man-wol is the type of character that is generally male, and the role-reversal (a sensitive, morally upstanding, and brave male lead) makes this show even more fun. Hangs out at solidly TV-14 – with some violence, adult subject matter including suicide and murder, some frightening images, and minor innuendo.
As a side note – if you haven’t watched Stranger Things (Netflix) yet, I highly recommend it. It’s as good as people say, and a really fun concept. And there are 3 seasons (with a 4th on the way). It’s short and smart and well-written, and deserves the praise.
So there you have it – some advice from an introvert and how I’ll be spending my time during social-distancing. Let me know if you have recs, ideas, or just if you want to Talk 🙂 See you soon!
*If anything, the Rot & Ruin Webtoon reminded me that my torch for Tom Imura will never go out.