Times are strange right now is quite an understatement. We’re all in this funny limbo of not actually knowing what tomorrow may bring. In Australia we aren’t actually in official lock-down like some countries are; but many of us are self-isolating for numerous reasons. We’re been home all week - having kids with asthma and weakened immune-systems means I’m not sure I want them mingling with all the kids at school or on the bus. But we’re still going into the community in short bursts as needed.

Our days are a combination of feeling like the long lingering school holidays and the jarring uncertainness of what tomorrow brings. We’re reading, watching and listening to news reports, or in my teenage son’s case his school friends passing on other information. And updates via social media. It’s all as confusing as each other.

I’m trying to keep things light, especially for my 5-yr old who listens and hears everything, and understands so much more. He was at the doctor (with his dad) earlier this week, and saw someone with a face-mask on and started pointing say ‘he’s one of those people who bought all the masks, and he has coronavirus’. We also had to explain to him that there’s no butterfly pasta this week as everyone else bought too many things - brings up conversations about sharing in our community.

Through all the uncertainness, and the fact that many of are - or possibly - be loosing income (I’ve had thousands of dollars of workshops postponed indefinitely or cancelled), I realised that this forced quiet home time is exactly what many of us need. Like a life-admin reset. If we can move past the fear, anxiety, overwhelm at not knowing then perhaps we can move into the gentleness of being where we are.

Maybe, just maybe, we’ll learn to slow down a little, to love the pace of being here and now. In our homes, with our immediate families, in our gardens, at our craft tables and sewing rooms, with a good book to read (eeekkk - our library closed for two weeks, but luckily I managed to stock up before then).

I’ve been thinking, though that perhaps we all need some idea on how to care for ourselves in this #loveinthetimeofcorona madness.

How to care for yourself in this crazy corona-time:

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Remember as a crafter and creative, you’re ready for this. Self-imposed time at home is exactly what we are always wanting. Soak it up, enjoy it. Start a new project or better yet finish something on your wip or mending pile.

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Take time outside, sitting in the sunshine, tending your garden or the pots on your balcony. Or start a little windowsill garden with herbs or flowers to look forward to. Many herbs are quite fast growing, which brings immediate satisfaction. Of course if you can get seedlings things will go faster, but the best time to plant a teeny baby seed is right now. There’s lots of fabulous online places, our local library has a seed library and the bulk food / health food shop sells seeds. As well as the farmers market selling seedlings.

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Write in your journal, start that book you’ve always wanted to write, document what’s happening in the world right now. In 50-years it will remind people of what we as humans went through, it might be solace for someone going through a whole new set of challenges. To remind them that humans are resilient - the way we read war stories now, and talk about the days when our grandparents were on rations, were sharing with their community, were doing things for the greater good. Not hoarding toilet paper or pasta!

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Tidy your house. Catch up on your paperwork. Sort out your craft cupboard. Look through old photos and finally sort them into that album you’ve always been meaning to do.

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Drink lots of lovely tea to nourish you - fresh ginger and turmeric, local raw honey, lemon juice. Cut back on sugar. Drink more water.

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Start an exercise program at home. I’ve noticed lots of yoga apps are giving free months at the moment. But for me the simplest way to start is by doing the Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar), as many repeats as you can each day. Begin with just one, if that’s all your body can do today. Do a quick online search and you’ll find a YouTube or tutorial or visuals of what to do -I’m not linking to one or the other. It’s the same poses and flow - so you should follow a site that you like the feel of most.

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Stop watching the news, or clicking on those Instagram / Facebook reports that people keep sharing. Someone at the farmers market mentioned to me the other day, that we should be off social media and put our phones away. And in a way, yes I agree. BUT also we are so lucky right now that we can be distanced from others physically, while also being connected. Be intentional when you’re online, don’t get drawn down the rabbit holes of watching things that make you anxious. Curate your Instagram viewing by only following people who inspire you in other ways - seek out the creativity, or create your own to share. IN this time I think it’s vital that we share real life and stay positive through it all.

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Cook or bake something you’ve never made before - teach yourself how to use up the leftovers, the last of something in the fridge or pantry. Right now when the supermarket shelves are empty, rather than worrying about that; you can make something with what you have. One of my fortes is making our meals with what’s in the house already, not rushing to stock up on the things that we think we need. Using what we have, and being inventive.

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Remind yourself that this too will pass. While our politicians aren’t sure the exact actions to take, and we’re all in a little bit of limbo land, and some have been home for longer than others, and others are still going about usual everyday. Life is fluid and we can move through it, learn lessons, evolve, but not have to stay in the darkness. Let’s seek a way to move forward as a community, a society, a world where we realise the true important things.

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Smile and laugh. Tell jokes to your family. Or even yourself if you need. Go for a walk, if possible, or sit on the balcony in the sun. With your family. Sing a song. Turn up the music and dance. Listen to a podcast or a talking book.

Most importantly of all - Take care. Don’t guilt yourself if you’re doing nothing at all, or too overwhelmed by all the school-at-home that’s needed to even think about what’s happening in the outside world. One day at a time. Be gentle. Again and again.