Habits to help your quarantine
The majority of my students are now beginning Week 3 of their lockdowns all over the world, and I can report that the novelty has very much worn off. The initial flush of enthusiasm about being quarantined in their flat with instruments and recording equipment had them living out their very own Bon Iver fantasies. However after two weeks of seeing and touching no other human being, they are staring down the barrel of a creative solitary confinement with all the psychological pressures that that brings. And I am fully with them.
The tiny upside for vocalists is that there is a period of rest for our voices. No gigs, online lessons and no rehearsal rooms makes for a reduction in voice use and therefore lesson vocal swelling. YAY. The major downside of course is the glaring poverty that will befall working vocalists. I’m clutching at straws here…
I am lucky to some extent because I am incredibly busy: homeschooling my 9year old whilst delivering classes to degree students leaves little time for getting metaphysical with my own mental health. Next week brings the Easter holidays and whilst I am excited to being doing fuck all, I am also daunted by my glaringly empty diary. I am ridiculously routine-driven because my head is normally a shed so I’ve begun to plan and list a number of tasks I want to do.
Disclaimer: This is not some half-baked Buzzfeed wannabe list, this is simply what is working for me, along with suggestions for my students. You are welcome to borrow from this or ignore it completely.
Break your routine
After telling you to get a routine LOLZ I’m crazy…. Routines are incredibly helpful for giving some rhythm to the monotony but being ruled by them is deeply unhelpful. If you planned to do something but feel your time would be better spent bingeing a podcast then baby, you do you. Do not feel bad about it.Plan your food
My life is ruled by what I’m having for my tea plus it gives me something to look forward to.Go for a walk
This is predictable AF but Christ alive does it make a difference. Leave your phone at home or download a playlist/podcast then put your phone on airplane mode. It’ll be like 1998 all over again (Always #socialdistancing though pls).Watch an entire film series in order
My son and I started the Avengers film series last week and have watched one every night. It means we don’t have to face the endless scrolling of streaming services. Star Wars is next.Keep a diary
I know. Wanky McWankface but I can’t tell you how much its cleared my head out each evening. Plus social historians rely on first hand accounts when researching and documenting a crisis, so I’m doing my bit because I’m dead interesting...Rest
When was the last time society shut down in such a way? By all means learn a new language, read 12 books or how to cook, but if you just want to chill the fuck out then crack on.
