Quarantine and Introvert Things

Most of the world, including these United States, are under mandated “Shelter-in-Place” in order to get a handle on the worldwide spread of COVID -19 (a strain of communicable Corona Virus) since about mid-March 2020. This global pandemic has changed the way most people live in a major way. Restrictions to most public places and businesses that aren’t absolutely essential to survival have been put in place and it is highly advisable that people stay home (until further notice). It’s the right thing to do.

The weeks have gone by with the shelter-in-place, or quarantine, I guess about four or five weeks since our Mayor issued it as of this post. Initially, I was concerned as was everyone else about how drastic the measures would be and if the state government would enforce a shelter-in-place policy with execrable penalties for violators. The term Marshall Law often came up on social media sites quite a bit (insert deep eye-roll) from the expert conspiracy theorists with their fancy degrees in #StayWokePsychology. That turned out to be a non-issue so far, thankfully and the riff-raff simmered down some. After the initial concern over the global impact and more specific how our country, states, and cities were affected, I began to think about how it would impact me and my family directly.

I am an introvert to the core my being. That doesn’t mean I am shy or timid, it just means that I prefer solitude over groups and crowds, “going out”, and most anything that would require a tremendous amount of extroverted exertion. I have my moments of spontaneity but occurrences are few. In other words, I am perfectly okay with a mandated shelter-in-place. My place is my favorite place. You mean to tell me that it is imperative for the sake of world health that I stay home, order online, have my goods delivered, work at home, and stay a minimum of six feet apart from any person I may encounter? Maaan! The mayor is preaching to the choir on this one, lol. This is an introvert’s daily life and I’m helping save the world.

Don’t get me wrong. What’s going on in the world is a tragic health crisis and my compassion and love goes out to every family who is impacted and dealing with this thing up close and personal. I am sorry for the lives lost and their families. My heart and prayers go out for them.

As I carry on my daily self-imposed quarantined life I must confess that some things have changed, some great and some that still takes some getting used to. For one, I get to sleep in because I don’t have to drive (or get dressed to go) to the office. I have a designated work space separate from the rest of the house, so it’s fairly easy to get work done. Plus, I get to be home all day with Kaiser (my fur-baby). He loves that Mommy is home with him all day, though I have to train him to a slightly different play and pee schedule, lol. It’s been 90% great for me thus far. The other 10% is the getting used to the part of not seeing my family in person, not getting hugs from my nieces and nephews and seeing my best friend. Things like that. I am a tactile person with those I love and I miss being in their company physically.

I am at peace with the quarantine finally though. After the third week or so I felt a bit of resentment because it was forced on us, rightly so, but still forced. For me, it began to feel differently because it’s someone else dictating what you can and can’t do, where you can go and not go. When it’s my decision to live a certain way, that’s acceptable, but not when somebody else tells you how to live. That moment came and went but I had to acknowledge it and sort it out. It’s not about me.

So what have I been doing while sheltering-in-place you ask? Good question. Here’s some answers:

• Deep cleaned my house, just shy of washing the paint off the walls and the stains off the ceiling fans and floors.
• Re-organized everything in my office and put in another bookcase to store the boxes of books I had in a corner
• Learned to groom Kaiser…poor little dude. I’ll get better
• Re-worked my schedule about four times to accommodate projects I’m working on and finally found a plan that helps me be productive and motivated to do everything I need to get done per day
• Meditate more often throughout the day to stay harmonious and happy
• Started a light exercise regimen to tighten up, about 20 -30 minutes a day
• Eating less. My appetite generally turns down in the Spring and Summer naturally though when the weather warms up. I eat lighter with more plant-based foods during these seasons
• I read at least 10-pages of a good book a day out loud
• Taken an online coding/programming course. This is strictly for work. If I didn’t have to do this, I wouldn’t. I’d rather spend this time doing something I understand and enjoy. But here we are
• Stay away from social media sites that do not give me peace of mind, i.e. Facebook

I’ve been busy, lol. I love having things to do without feeling overwhelmed and the time that the quarantine has allowed us to be home has been very beneficial for me. I’m sure it has been for many people across the globe, even as we take each day to get through this rough spell in time. I must say that my natural propensity toward aloneness has definitely helped me cope. I’ve never been lonely with myself and I am grateful that I like me and my life well enough to be comfortable. A lot of people don’t and have a tougher time adjusting to not doing normal everyday things they would do. If you are one of those people, you have my sympathies and I send positive vibes your way.

The most comforting thing about the quarantine is knowing that it is temporary. This too shall pass. The world has fought many horrific diseases, plagues, and incurables throughout history. Mankind is resilient and we will evolve for the better. We are supreme beings on this planet. The good in the world is showing itself now. We can see love and compassion, generosity and kindness, so abundant and openly displayed like I cannot recall in my lifetime. Families are reconnecting and sharing with each other in ways that hasn’t been possible for many in a very long time. We will prevail stronger and better, healthier and happier. We will live with care. Our ‘normal’ may be different afterward, but we endure in all the ways that make humankind special.