10 Things Isolation Has Taught Me About Myself

At first, I was negging out hard over this whole isolation situation. I mean, at some point, didn't we all host a pity party, stressing over sickness and social distancing and wishing we'd wake up from a twisted dream back in the normal world where toilet paper was hardly talked about.

It sucks. It still sucks. But when I started to see the cup as half full rather than half empty, I slowly and surprisingly learnt a lot about myself... Seriously, who would have thought?

1. I didn't give myself enough R&R time

Life is always full throttle for me. I'd sometimes be juggling three jobs, full-time uni, freelance projects, violin concerts, running errands whilst trying to balance a social life... even that sentence left me out of breath.

At the start of iso, I went stir crazy. I was frazzled by all this free time, feeling like I had to do something productive. Then, I got into the swing of things and learnt how to CHILL TF OUT. And it was, without exaggeration, LIFE CHANGING.

I have been meditating, journalling, creating and daydreaming and it's been the bomb@hotmail.com. After isolation, I'll be, for sure, prioritising time to just zen the hell out.

2. I've found new passions

Like I said, I got a little stir crazy at the start of iso, thus inspiring me to pick up new interests. 

I've been learning guitar. Je suis actuellement en train d'apprendre le Francais. (I think that says I have been learning to speak French... emphasis on the word learning). I've been mosaicing with my mum, painting with my dad and skateboarding with my brother. The skateboarding has been fun but a little shortlived as I think I've sprained my ankle.

3. I love being by myself

Extroverted is my middle name. I thrive best around people.

And yet, I never knew how much I love being by myself as well.

Like wow! I'm a hoot and a half to be around and hanging with just me, myself and I is honestly a vibe. I should really chill with myself more often.

4. I have the best friends

I miss my friends. I miss boogieing with them, wandering around, eating ice cream on the beach and yapping about nothing and everything. 

But I guess you don't really appreciate someone until you spend time away from them.

I never really appreciated how wonderful my mates are. Love you guys and see you on our zoom chat Friday at 5pm. Xoxo.

5. I am obsessed with learning

I've been finding myself spending a lot of time inhaling documentaries and reading books about mythologies, philosophies and history. Right now, I'm reading The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus and it's blowing my mind.

Having time to spare has sparked a motivation in me to just absorb the world around me and retain as much knowledge as possible, which is pretty rad.

Catch me at a party when the world is back to normal sharing facts on the Persian War or Pandora's Box.

6. How to appreciate the simple things in life

The sound of birds chirping in the morning, a blue sky, a good book, a nice walk, a delicious meal... it's the little things in life.

7. I am pretty red hot at self-motivating

Here I am, tooting my own horn, but I'm pretty proud of how far I've come in terms of self-motivation. I mean, at first, I was hardly getting out of bed. Now, I take a few steps and go to my desk! Nah, but seriously. I've been getting stuff done. Go me.

8. I don't have the best relationship with food

Well, we bragged about my self-motivation skills, but my self-control when it comes to food is a whole other ball game. 

When I'm at home, I just eat eat eat eat eat. Even before iso, I was always on the go and never eating super healthily, just eating out of convenience. 

I'm working on leaning towards fruit, veg and only eating when I'm hungry. It's a work in progress, but we're getting there.

9. Music is the best thing in the world

Music has been my emotional crutch during this frazzling time. I've made countless playlists and have found immense joy from searching for new music. My fave song right now is On Every Street by Dire Straits. Vibe.

10. I hate jigsaw puzzles

Iso has inspired a trend of doing jigsaw puzzles.

I have learnt that I absolutely, irrevocably and vehemently HATE JIGSAW PUZZLES. They drive me up the wall.

Thank you for listening to my Ted Talk.