In days gone by, I’d sometimes think: “if only I could have a pyjama day today”.

Now, as isolation rules, my Sunday bests gather dust and loungewear is the trend that’s trumping style.

Note to self; be careful what you wish for.

Yet in these days of hygiene obsession and distanced living, all this spare time offers the chance to stand still and observe…

There’s an even mix of good samaritans and closet satans.

Like the angel who noticed how hard my days had been this week and “paid it forward” with an unexpected wine delivery – in contrast, there was the near-satanic jogger along my morning walk screaming the so-called road rules at me on her stride past.

All types surface in trying times!

Now more than ever, I’m supporting local. 

And I’ll go out of my way to do it. Buying from the grocer and butcher, swapping a Friday home-cooked meal for a take-out – be it Asian, Indian, or the new wood-fired pizza restaurant (just the thing for that aforementioned wine delivery) – and often swiping a fiver for a coffee and a sneaky finger bun at our once-bustling cafes who are doing it tough.

Social distancing versus physical distancing. There’s a difference.  

Isolation gives us permission to be mindful and present, yet when we’re seeking company, our Samsungs and iPhones are permanently attached and it’s the online channels we head for – people feeds that keep us sane and socially engaged.

And it’s how we catch-up and check-in with our closest who are now suddenly distant, our colleagues – the ones we’re used to chatting with over the water cooler – and those living alone in real isolation, to see how they’re doing.

Yes, you can exercise in a four-foot-wide apartment.

It’s not quite THAT confined, but with a balcony and a pretty spectacular view for a backyard, it’s big enough to “Zoom” a Pilates class.  When the weather behaves, it’s outdoors at the park with a small group, a yoga mat, and a faceful of sunshine.

Complacency is a bitch.

This pause also highlights how important it is for businesses to adapt. My writing niche in the real estate world has taken a hit but copywriting and content marketing overall is big business, and as long as the online world keeps turning, so can I.

Tweaking resumes, food blogging, travel writing, even dipping a creative toe into fiction – who knows where I’ll land that’s a little bit “uncomfortable”.

The key is not to get comfortable – instead, I’ll welcome all sorts of new.

It goes to show just how privileged we are in this global pandemic.

I had to read that again, too.

In no other era has a disease wreaked such havoc yet enabled the world to stay in touch, to eat well, (probably too well), shop online, train, educate, work from home, bond with your kids, shine a light on some unintentional heroes – AKA our medicos and nurses – and in our lucky island nation, even get a financial leg-up from the government.

What a world.

Some say they’d love to unplug 2020 and start over, but if you sit back and look at it like sport, the first quarter doesn’t determine the final score.

There’s still time to catch up, lead, and eventually win. Let’s play on.