Subj : KIWIS SURVIVING SELF-ISOLATION: CRAIG WATSON
To : All
From : Major Queen
Date : Tue Apr 14 2020 04:45 pm
APRIL 14, 2020 SOURCE EXPRESS
Rainbow Wellington Board Member Craig Watson says "realising that you can
still have quality connection without physically being present," is the most
positive lesson lockdown has taught him.
Tell us about your Level 4 Lockdown - where are you? Who's in your bubble?
And what are you doing to keep your mental health in check?
Level 4 Lockdown - what a strange time! Who would have thought a six weeks
ago after celebrating Pride and going out with friends, that I would be
confined to my house and neighbourhood? I live in Wellington and with two
flatmates and we all work from home.
I am lucky to be able to continue with my job from home, however, work has
changed significantly. The projects I manage have all been put on pause and
the direction is now uncertain.
I remember day 2 of lockdown, I noticed my legs were cramping up and I was
starting to become very anxious about work and family. I realised that the
most physical activity I had done, was to move from the bedroom to the lounge.
Mental health is a super important focus of my daily life. Having dealt with
my own roller-coaster of emotions in the past, physical activity has been
super important to keeping a healthy mind.
In this time of isolation, the motivation to walk, run or whatever, has been
fairly low. The media and officials have made it clear that self-distancing
and isolation is key to stop the spread. This fear of contracting the
COVID-19 virus has meant that I was almost afraid to go outside.
But I remember going for my first bike ride last week and that feeling of
fresh air in my lungs was incredible. It cleared my head, it gave me a sense
of achievement and proved to me that the world wasn't going to end if I left
the house. The addiction for physical activity was back.
Another thing this isolation has taught us is how important connecting with
each other is. The rapid spread of the virus-like Houseparty app, gave us a
quick and easy way to connect with friends and play games with them. Zoom has
allowed bigger groups to practice Yoga in our lounges with family and friends
all over New Zealand. I am into an app called Trickster 500, where a group of
us addicted to the card game 500 can compete against each other every
lunchtime, all while chatting like we would in the office.
This time has also brought our flatmates together. We are cooking together,
vege-ing out to Netflix and doing our various workout routines in the
evening. We might all hate each other at the end of this lockdown, but for
now, its forcing three independent people to live communally.
What are your top tips for express readers who are struggling with
self-isolation?
Continue to meet with your groups, via Zoom - don't let the isolation put
your social groups on hold. If you are apart of any group, make sure you
still make regular contact. The agenda might look different and it might be
harder to make conversation, but it is so rewarding for everyone.
Get out - start each morning with a simple walk. Get out of the house and
reconnect with the world around you. If you can, increase your heart rate and
get a bit breathless. This is proven to help your mind.
Listen to the world - something I have really noticed is how loud nature is
right now. The birds, the air and the trees. We have silenced the buses, cars
and man-made noises and now the sounds of nature can penetrate through. Tui
birds are my favourite. I could listen to them all day.
Reach out - In our community, we have a lot of single or older people who
might be feeling even more isolated and vulnerable at this time. Some people
might live in homes where being LGBTQ+ is not so easy. Making a special
effort to reach out to them, can really increase their spirits. Offer to go
to the supermarket for them. Include them in your Houseparty and Zoom
sessions. Call them. Don't make it complicated.
What is the most positive aspect of self-isolation you've experienced so far?
Being forced to connect with friends and whanau in new ways, and realising
that you can still have quality connection without physically being present.
What plans do you have between now and day 28 of lockdown?
Work will take up most of my days, but I also have a number of books I plan
to read.
I also want to explore the streets around my neighbourhood.
What are you missing most about 'normal life'?
Coffee - I am making my own filter coffee, but god I miss a long black!
What will be the first thing that you can't wait to do when regular life
resumes?
I really want to organise a big public dance party in a park in Wellington,
where everyone can get close to each other and be safe while having fun.
Moving forward is there anything you think you will change about your life
following self-isolation?
Staying connected to the important friends in my life and I would like to try
and continue to support those who may feel lonely and isolated in normal
times.
Is there a closing message you would like to share with our gorgeous LGBTI+
community?
