PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Cabin fever: Hi, my name is Yolande and I suffer from cabin fever.
They say admission is the first step to recovery, so here we go.
It all started about two weeks ago (I think – with the days bleeding into each other I've lost all track of time… ) when our president sent us to our rooms and made us stay there. For 21 days.
For someone who despises feeling confined and loves being out in nature – frolicking on the beach, skipping along hiking trails and jumping on her bicycle to feel the wind rushing through her helmet hair – it has been a particularly difficult time.
First world woes?
I am aware this sounds very much like first world woes, but add to that being constantly bombarded with statistics and information about sickness and death, the ugly reality starts rearing its head. On top of that a dark cloud has been following us around (it is personal, but I share it because there are others in this sinking ship with me – obviously at a safe distance!). Shortly after the lockdown announcement, my husband lost all his income for at least the next three months. He is a wedding photographer and most couples have had to postpone or cancel their weddings for now. Unfortunately the debit orders haven't been delayed and the bills miraculously keep coming despite everything else having grinded to a halt. To add insult to injury, we have had to celebrate a birthday and a wedding anniversary.
Anyway, those who know me, know that even in the darkest of moments I always try and smile. So here are a few things my family and I have done to keep us from losing our minds.
Monk-ing around
The first few days were fine. Like the first few days of a camping trip. It's a novel idea at first, but it wears off quickly when you're stuck in a tent in the rain and can't get the fire going to cook your food. Like most fellow corona-prisoners, I started by cleaning every crevice of my house. I've taken a few phone calls while sitting with an old toothbrush scrubbing the unseen parts of the kitchen taps.
There is, however, only so much cleaning one can do before you turn into the germaphobic television character Monk.
It was at this point that we realised we needed to figure out a way of staying busy, especially with a young child.
A quick Google search revealed that routine is the answer, but that didn't work very well and added to the boredom. So we've gone for an "every day is different" approach.
One constant has been staying active. It does wonders for the mind and body. I'm lucky that my CrossFit coach has been providing us with online workouts, but a quick search will leave you with many options. My seven-year-old son has been inspired by my daily workouts and has even, on his own, started programming workouts for us to do together.
A baking maths lesson
Food seems to have become what our lives revolve around, but that is not a bad thing. To minimise going out to the shops for essentials, bake your own bread. It also gives you something to do. Judging by the empty flour shelves, it seems I'm not the only one. Get the entire family involved and incorporate a maths lesson: how many half cups do you need to make up three cups of flour?
Which brings me to schooling. It is a concern with our children not attending school, but it doesn't mean learning has to stand still. There are so many online resources to keep the little ones' minds active. Luckily my son's school has been so kind as to send us daily tasks to complete. To make it more interesting we've taken the work outside when the weather is good and do schoolwork in the backyard.
I think most parents will be forgiven if screen time increases, but make sure that time in front of an electronic device is educational and throw in something just for fun. My little one has taken a liking to the computer game Minecraft and has come up with incredible creations over the last few days. To drag him away from the computer, we've even done some "Minecraft" with old boxes and cardboard around the house. This is a good way to put unwanted items to good use.
Technology to the rescue
It also brings me to celebrating those milestones. For my husband's birthday, my son and I crafted a gift, baked some goodies and had a picnic out in the garden. For our wedding anniversary, the same – we cooked a special meal together and watched a movie.
If you miss your family and friends, a WhatsApp, Facetime, Skype or Zoom call is always an option. We invited Granny and Grandpa over via WhatsApp as spectators for our three-man cricket match one afternoon.
My husband plays online games from time to time and this has also given him the opportunity to interact with his friends – even if it's on some virtual "battlefield".
If you're unable to work from home and have nothing but time on your hands, try and learn a new skill. To the entertainment of my family, I tried my hand at needlework (never been a strong suit) over the weekend. It led to some cussing and frustration, laughter from my husband and son, and a realization that it is just not for me. My husband however took our son out to the garden one day and let him take photos of anything interesting they could find, and this not only taught him the skills to use a camera properly, but also to appreciate the smaller things in life.
When you are really desperate for the outside world, slap on some make-up and throw on a nice dress when you next take the trash out.
The point I'm trying to make is, try your best to make something positive from this terrible situation. I promise, the alternative is not great.
The result of a few hours' worth of Minecraft arts and crafts. Minecraft Steve (aka Samuel Stander) kitted out. Photo: Ewald Stander
Samuel and Ewald Stander working on some photography skills in the garden and appreciating the smaller things in life. Photo: Yolande Stander
Yolande and Samuel Stander (and their dogs Kevin and Kiki) enjoying a workout at home. Photo: Ewald Stander
Mom Yolande Stander puts her teacher hat on and does some schoolwork with Samuel outside in the garden. Photo: Ewald Stander
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