I was chronically ill for over five years. Here’s how to survive isolation

By Jenny Brownlees

When I was sixteen, I became suddenly and debilitating unwell with ME – a condition which causes overwhelming fatigue that is not improved by rest. (More information here). Unbeknownst to me, this was to last for over five years, with the first two to three being the worst. I was mostly confined to bed, often in a dark room and later housebound for much longer.

While I’m now out the other side of what was an awful period of my life, I find myself again unexpectedly confined to my house. As someone who has been here before, I thought I’d share with you a few things I found comfort in.                               

The perhaps only positive factor of this pandemic, apart from the realisation for many of the life-dependent tasks our incredible key workers provide on a daily basis, is that we’re all experiencing the country’s lockdown at the same time.

Though I acknowledge many factors make lockdown an easier experience for some more than others – we are at least all in a somewhat similar boat. It’s a well-acknowledged truth that comparison is the thief of joy, and I sadly became ill at a time when my friends were going away to university, in the same year Facebook went mainstream.

Seeing daily photos of their wild nights out whilst I barely made it into the shower was a difficult dose of my (many) pills to swallow. It’s basic human nature to compare ourselves to others, we’re a social species after all and I have observed many people giving themselves a hard time, comparing their lockdown experience to others.

Why has this person done four HIIT workouts and you’re still in pyjamas? Why is that parent the living embodiment of Mary Poppins whilst you’re struggling to get your kids to stop screaming for three minutes?

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.

Mood-lifting music

Music can have such a cathartic effect and listening to uplifting songs became a daily ritual of mine. Much like film and TV which I’ll discuss imminently, music can lead you down a wonderful rabbit hole. I enjoyed discovering new artists, working my way through bands back catalogues, reading about their lives and influences. I tried to focus on cheerful tunes that made me happy, Spotify have an abundance of uplifting playlists, as does YouTube – so pop those headphones in and forget about the world for five minutes

Photography          

I ended up teaching myself DSLR photography from books, YouTube tutorials and a lot of practise – but I had a whole lotta time spare. However, the cameras on our phones are of such good quality these days you can do an abundance of artsy things with them. Again, you may not be shooting landscapes right now, but times like this call for you to get creative. Why not do a colour challenge, photographing objects of the same colour in an abstract way, when you’re out on your daily walk? You can do this indoors, too – I love the way Caroline South creates beautiful images from everyday objects, grouped together by colour. Sara Tasker has also been sharing stay home photo challenge prompts via her blog Me & Orla.

Virtual Walking

Google Street View frankly blows my mind. Did you know, via the Arts and Culture section you can explore the world, visiting everywhere from the Taj Mahal to Hong Kong’s Blue House. I personally like ‘walking’ around New York listening to Odyssey’s Native New Yorker and pretending I’m in a movie. Listen, you take your kicks where you can get ‘em in times like this. I’m walking here!

Radio

Radio is another welcome companion to isolation. Cillian Murphy’s Radio 6 playlists are so good I forcefully suggest them to every human I meet, whether they want to hear it or not. Alternatively, have you worked your way through every episode of Desert Island Discs? What do you mean, no? There’s 2253 episodes available – get on that. BBC Radio 4’s Soul Music is another favourite, each episode hears people tell stories of songs that have powerfully impacted their lives. Warning – most episodes will make you cry.

Podcasts

We’ve rounded up our favourite listens at HLN, here. Personally, BBC Radio 4’s Fortunately with Fi and Jane is getting me through right now.

Comedy

As the saying goes, laughter really is the best medicine. Pop on Derry Girls,  watch every episode of Live at The Apollo, or if you’re looking for something new try Feel Good – comedian Mae Martin’s critically acclaimed show. 

Fresh air

For me, this often meant just opening the window and sticking my head out. Seriously, it’s simple but effective. If you can make the most of the Government sanctioned daily exercise, even if it’s walking around the block, do it. Or if you are lucky enough to have a garden or balcony, utilise it. Being in the fresh air really does lift the mood.

Bringing the outside in

Plants are known mood-lifters, I love caring for mine – eagerly awaiting the growth of new leaves and lovingly watering each species in my greenery brood. If you don’t already have plants in the house, consider pondering and stopping to touch various leaves, trees and plants on your daily walk. You might feel a little silly at first but seriously – it helps.

Books & Audiobooks

If you’ve been meaning to read more lately, check out downloadable e-books if you can’t get to the shops. We’ve rounded up the best new books coming out this month which is a great place to start. I found audiobooks very soothing, and easier to digest when I couldn’t concentrate. 

Letter writing

Bring back the art of snail mail by writing to the friends and family you can’t see right now and feel like Mr Darcy in the process.

Mindfulness

Again, this took much practise – but I guess we have time, right? Check out the NHS’ guide on mindfulness, which ties in really well with gratitude journaling. To find out how it has helped other people in a practical way, check out this article by Katie Holmes on OutwitTrade. 

The internet’s innovative answers to isolation:

While I was unwell, it was at a time when forums and blogs were just becoming a thing, pre-Instagram. Now there’s an abundance of life online with people sharing resources, their skills and time. All I’m saying is when I was at my lowest, I could have really done with Elton John and co streaming a live concert into my living room, not that I’m bitter or anything. Here are some incredible (not to mention free!) Things going on around the web:

Good Day Club have started a Quarantine Art Club, encouraging artists and art-phobes alike to take part.

Attend a virtual Pub Quiz. Brewdog will begin hosting quizzes and more, online. 

Artist Jaz Moodie is teaching you how to draw a nude via her Instagram live. Obsessed. 

Sophie Williams is hosting Long Distance Dinner Parties, so grab a glass of wine and join in.

Florence and The Machine’s lead singer Florence Welch has a book club – who knew? Read along with her via her ‘club Between Two Books.

Take in some culture by virtually visiting the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, The British Museum, or The Louvre. 

Theatre-fan? The National is streaming critically acclaimed shows online for free, Soho Theatre has made Phoebe Waller Bridge’s award-winning Fleabag available to stream from just £4, with proceeds going to Corona Virus charities, while Andrew Lloyd Webber is releasing full-length, smash-hit musicals once a week for you to watch for free on YouTube. 

If you are missing your yoga classes, Yoga with Adrianne has a multitude of videos available online – from beginner’s level to advanced. 

Authors Fatima Bhutto and Sanam Maher are sharing a video a day featuring writers from around the world reading their work, in the series Stay Home, Stay Reading.

Fashion lovers listen-up, McQueen is inviting you to join their creative community – working from home on a series of projects. This week they are prompting you to sketch their A/W 2019 Rose dress, sharing your creations on Instagram with the hashtag #McQueenCreators.

Cooking enthusiasts, Pinch Of Nom is sharing their recipes using ingredients you may already have in the cupboard.

I hope the above suggestions offer you some solace in this sad time. Stay home and stay safe.