It said 'You don't know what you have until it's gone. Truth is, you knew what you had, you just thought you'd never lose it.' There has probably never been a time in living memory when that sentiment has meant as much as it does know.
As we sit in our bedrooms, our living rooms, our conservatories, and our gardens (when it is not lashing down ), we only realise the things in our lives that sustained us; that got us through the working week; that gave us a boost when we were feeling low; they have all been taken away because of this dreadful virus and rightly so, as the brave health professionals do their utmost to battle the disease which threatens to take out many of the most vulnerable in society.
For those who have jobs where they are able to work from home, putting in your time to get through the day is a little easier. But for those who are not afforded that opportunity or for those unlucky estimated 140,000 who have been laid off, they are at a loose end, wondering where the next pay packet will come from to pay for rent and the most basic of necessities.
So instead of wallowing in self pity about not getting to pub to meet the gals and lads, not being able to pump iron at the gym, or watch the big match (oh how I do miss my sport ), check out a couple of ways on how to occupy yourself during the rest of the shutdown.
Try out new recipes
Who would not love a juicy burger, dripping in melted cheese, with bacon on top or a curry providing an explosion of taste in your mouth with every bite? I know I would. But with the shutdown the likely of getting a slap-up meal is pretty much zilch. However in times of despair comes opportunity. Why not learn to cook some super sumptuous meals yourself? Supermarkets are one of the very few operations which will not be closing during this period and there is an abundance of recipes online just waiting to be unleashed on your dinner plates. Give cooking a try and you never know, you might discover a new passion.
Board games
I am going to go for an old school one now. If you were born in the nineties and before, board games were a common sight in most households before Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft unleashed their consoles on the planet. Board games are brilliant for interacting with others, something which we will not experience a lot of over the next few days. Board games are a great way to get to know your housemates especially if they are new to the gaff.
Meditation
In a world which was only getting faster, the lockdown has brought it to a firm halt, with the wheels just about still turning. Not having an outlet such as the pub or the gym leaves us in the situation where going for walks is our only real pastime outside the household (and with the weather we are experiencing at present, it is not a particularly attractive one ), it can be very easy for anxiety to take over our minds. Here is where meditation and mindfulness comes in. There are plenty of tutorials online, particularly Youtube, to help you relax and forget about the situation. Try it. You could feel so much better.
Writing
Every book, every newspaper, and every single word that you have ever read was written by a human. Newspapers and books may eventually be replaced by online sites and tablets, but it will still be people writing the articles. As someone who writes for a living, the medium enables me to creatively express the thoughts that are rattling around in my brain. Writing can even be used as a wonderful outlet to get something off your chest that may be irritating you. Trust me, it is worth it.
Learning a new language
Bonjour. Dos cervezas por favor. Danke schön. Trying out a new tongue can be a fun and fulfilling experience. As the world becomes smaller thanks to the internet, many employees tend to be getting ahead of the chasing pack because they are fluent in two or more languages. If that does not convince you, think about how easy it will be to order food and drink abroad if you have that language dictionary stored in your brain.
If foreign languages are not your thing, remember we have the beautiful, poetic, Gaeilge here and there are many classes from which to choose. Síleann na cailíní go bhfuil mé deas dóighiúil, agus aontaím leo. You know what that means? Get yourself an online learning class to find out.
So there you have it. A few ways to get through lockdown while stuck indoors. Enjoy.
