How do we occupy our time in these uncertain times, isolated in confinement? It’s a privileged question, one I think about often. I do not have to expose myself to greater risk by venturing out to work. I haven’t taken public transportation in over a month and my longest walk took me from my home in the 11th arrondissement to Place des Vosges (that was prior to the 1km max rule), which is to say it was both not very far and purely to stretch my legs. Still, isolation is challenging– mentally, emotionally, physically — with plenty of fluctuations in spirit and motivation.
What have I been doing? In between a few work assignments, I’ve taken great comfort in books (once I could get back into them. That began week 2), in the levity of comedies like Brooklyn-99 and Schitt’s Creek, in my zoom pilates classes with my usual instructor whose voice is reassuring, and in digital contact with friends (and real contact with my cats). I’ve also started teaching myself Italian using Duolingo and haven’t missed a daily lesson in nine days. Fascinating how possible the impossible becomes when we restructure our time.
As a way to share…
