I’ll give you some advice right now – stop it. Comparison will get you nowhere and further, no one really knows the reality behind the social media updates.
Whilst we’re at it – no, you don’t have to create a masterpiece in this time either. Shakespeare very well might have written King Lear when quarantined in the time of the bubonic plague, but he didn’t have Netflix – so who’s the real winner here?
If all you do is get through, that’s perfectly fine – nay, wonderful. There will be good days and bad throughout, we have never dealt a situation like this before – there’s no perfect way to #boss self-isolating.
Feel safe in the knowledge that you’re helping the world and your fellow humans by staying at home, so give yourself a pat on the back.
In terms of engaging in an online world, it is very much a personal choice. If you think turning off your phone or deleting your apps will help you, do it. In my own experience, when comparing the upsides with the down, looking at it from Both Sides Now à la Joni Mitchell – I’d conclude that being active online helped me.
When social media is good, it’s really good. With this in mind, I’m going to share a few things that helped me through, and round up ways the internet is helping make this lockdown period even a touch more enjoyable. Whilst my situation was different to lockdown, I, unfortunately, couldn’t partake in a lot of the activities many are suggesting from home, thanks to near-constant pain and exhaustion that came from a simple but necessary task like showering or eating.