Welcome Back -Quarantine Life in Italy

It has been a long time since I have blogged mostly because of lack of time and being overwhelmed with daily activities, chores and responsibilities.  But here I am back to blogging on my living in Italy website due to a longing to express myself, to talk, to reach out, to help others, to help myself. Writing is therapeutic at least for me.

During this period of the Coronavirus Pandemic, we in Italy are finishing Week 3 of our lockdown and I thought I would share with others what we are going through and any advice I can give with dealing with quarantine life. With the belief that the United States are a few weeks behind in this onslaught maybe just maybe some words can help. I actually started to lead a quarantined life a little earlier as already the course I taught in Florence had moved to distance learning since my American students were sent home at the end of February.

Week 1 for us was the adjustment phase. We began to learn that our laptops and wifi would become our new best friends. We began to see what equipment worked or did not work. I started to think about buying some items that I would need for the long haul.  During first week of lockdown we could get groceries, go to the pharmacy, go to the bank and some services were still available. I tried to make a hair appointment but that never happened.  I filled up my tank with gas but really not sure why. I baked. I cleaned. I set up and adjusted the university course I teach through distance learning.

Week 2 for us was the routine making week. I realised that this will continue longer then I thought and a routine will keep us sane. We slowly developed a routine for each of us in an informal way. We each have our own place in the house where we can work without major disruptions. The mornings we all work after breakfast and work until lunch time. After lunch it is resting time or doing what you want time which lasts about an hour and then it is homework time for the kids. I have adapted to let the kids do things I would normally not let them do like play video games with their friends since it is the only time they have any contact with their friends. They can do this after homework time and exercise time is over. We all exercise daily. We baked. We cleaned.

Week 3 has been a continued adjustment phase and comfort phase. We have found new hobbies and been able to develop those hobbies left on the sidelines. We bake. We clean.


Some words of advice for those entering quarantine life:
Keep a routine. Personal hygiene and more. I get dressed every morning and put on make up and do my hair everyday. I never lounge around the house in my pjs. I don't even when I'm sick so I am not going to now. Getting dressed and fixing yourself up makes you feel better about yourself and is pleasant for those around you! I exercise everyday. I have mini projects every day which could be cleaning out drawers, decluttering, cleaning the garage, etc. I also have productive times of the day when I work on a new work project, work towards new opportunities. I talk with colleagues, friends and family. I stay connected but avoid negative talk or people.

Stay well and healthy and thanks for welcoming me back.