Lockdown for those old folk at home
So, here we are, back in what is looking like an indefinite lockdown: an old retired couple basically confined to our apartment barring a daily walk, and taking every precaution, from masking up to keeping safe distance as we wait for our next AstraZeneca jab. In many ways, though, our lives are not so different from our old-normal routine.
We have our various writing projects. We do a lot of keeping in touch-at-a-distance with our family and friends, reading, watching television. We’re also mindful that for older people the home is the most dangerous places for falls and we’ve used some googled tips to fall-proof ours, while also cobbling together a (safe) in-house exercise routine to do regularly. And yet – even so – there is a bit of mood-dampening lockdown drift as the days merge into each other and all our planned events are progressively cancelled: meals with family and friends, the cinema and shows, local cafes. And no more physical shopping. As compensation, it’s been interesting to re-master online grocery shopping – even, after a few glitches, figuring out how to add items to an original list. Small victories. And finally, I’m following the example of our daughters and braving the challenges of occasional online retail therapy (and doing a good deed at the same time, in the face of emailed pleas from shops doing it tough). Once totally averse to buying anything without trying it on first, I’ve become progressively bolder in my choices: starting small with a jumper, and by now graduating to jeans that are due to arrive shortly. Will they too fit?
We’re lucky enough, too, to be living in a small apartment block where relationships are universally friendly and supportive – neighbours on one side helping with emergency shopping, neighbours above dropping in home-made cup cakes and rice pudding. And we’ve added some activities to our routine. As dedicated travellers of long standing, for example, we’re now going over photos from some of our older trips, and reliving the lovely memories by crafting albums online. At the same time, we can see not only that those overseas travelling days are probably over, but also that they should be, to help the environment. So we’ve now put the money saved for travel into the solar panels on our portion of the roof. And our future travel plans are all focused on exploring our own Australian backyard.
Meanwhile, I’ve now discovered the emotional luxury that can come from declaring one day a week a holiday and complete break from routine. No exercising. No must-do’s. Just guilt-free indulgence. Highly recommended!
Anne Ring ©2021