Day 5 - Voluntary Lock Down

Woke to the smell of coffee on my mind and needed to really push myself to write the blog from the day before. Urgh! Why am I doing this again? Oh yeh. That's right. For the one or two people that might read it and find some confidence, from insight, to gather their resolve to stay at home; to save their family and others, from catching and spreading this bloody virus. Barely awake and I'm already enveloped in the magnitude of COVID-19. Faaark!

Breathe ... It's temporary ... Good will come of this ... somehow.

There is actually something good about writing the blog though. I guess it's like journaling. Being more mindful of what has been happening, how it affected me and perhaps what I learned.

Something interesting was happening this morning. Having heard about 'BetterHelp' on a number of podcasts, I'd suggested a coaching client perhaps check it out, to 'sure-up' her corner, to be able to be more of the person she had the potential of being. Obviously I was an option, but I was provided by her employer and only came around once a month in a corporate context. She needed something more ... personally. Anyway, it was a fairly light suggestion as I knew nothing more about it than having heard an ad a few times.

As a performance coach, as well as knowing the importance of prioritising sleep, diet, exercise, hydration and meditation (and keeping a lid on the alcohol),

I too need to ensure that I have someone to reach out to, to unpack my shit, to get on top of it, to get innately strong, to be able to stay healthy, to be able to help others ... kids, multi-faceted family, friends, clients, colleagues and community.

So anyway, I signed up and I had my first (virtual) session this morning.

Of course right at the beginning of my session, right when I was trying to work out how to get onto this video call, that bloody package arrived (eyeroll). Anyway took about 5mins to get onto the call with my BetterHelp counsellor. It seemed that the system was under a fair bit of pressure. Kept getting kicked off and needed to sign back in about 4 times.

Weird and annoying, but fair enough. We all need to be patient (hmm Freudian slip?)

Anyway, I did get to speak with "my counsellor". Her name was Lily. She extended the session to account for the delays, so the tech issues didn't matter. To be honest I didn't feel I needed her today, but this was great to establish a connection for when I did need it. The monthly subscription gives me access for (virtual) weekly contact or as I need it. At the very least it was an opportunity to check in on the various things I was currently doing to keep my emotional state healthy.

So far so good. Understanding that life is always dynamic, I know I'm supported. One day at a time.

Quickly checked in on the news, before my mate called me back. Things going OK, on his end, with the kids and his parents. Not without issues and errors but they were making a strong effort to keep their distance and keep safe. Made a plan to catch up the next day at the beach. We'd normally stay a couple of metres apart anyway and both so 'conscious', we felt it would be safe.

The package that had arrived was a care package for a friend, who is having a baby in about a month. Scary times no doubt.

I sterilised it, drove it over there and dropped it on her doorstep.

Went home again and did some work, before Mum called. She and Dad were keen to meet me out in Freo for some lunch ... ?? Hmmm really? What's the plan? With a conscious plan to keep us and others safe, I agreed. I'd have to say I did have some question marks as to how this was a sensible thing to be doing.

As I drove through Freo, to get there, I realised just how many people there are out there who just do not get this social distancing thing. Holy shit!

It wasn't too bad where we went. It was outdoors at least. But there were a number of occasions where people walked 'too close'. I'm not talking about slightly intruding on the 1.5m bubble. I'm talking almost brushing us as they passed (when they could easily have been 1m further away). Fucktards!! (H-hmmm .. I mean ... poor things. They probably only just arrived on Earth and didn't realise)

Anyway I kept further away from my parents than those fucktards did. Had a lovely chat and a couple of beers, which was awesome! Said goodbye with eye hugs and cruised on home.

Checked in with my daughter to see how she'd gone with her assessments today. All done and she was smiling. Wow. She really had climbed a mountain this week. So proud of her. I hope next week is easier. She does want to be involved in some maths masterclasses that are still being provided at school next week, and so I agreed to email her teacher to see if there was a way that she could participate from home.

Then I picked some chillies!

I had a chilli plant that was teeming with little hot red chillies and another one loaded with some big ones. A mate had inspired me to pick them and make some chilli sauce. I'd never done it before. Was so proud. The chilli and vinegar fumes, when I was simmering it, surely must have sterilised the neighbourhood too. Definite room for improvement for the next batch (think I simmered it too long), but I did get to use this one on my dinner.

Watched '100 Humans' on Netflix for a bit of light relief, instead of watching the news, and then hit the hay early, whilst meditating ... so I could get to the beach early ... before the crowds of ... hopefully highly conscious and respectful people.