How to be peaceful in solitary confinement?
I have 30 inspirations to share with you.
STEP BY STEP TOWARD PEACE
Nothing was delightful at the beginning…
FREE FALL
Free fall period was obviously unexpected. When I first knew that COVID-19 was a threat in my state (Quebec) and country (Canada), my agenda was full with job offers and social gatherings. Gym three times a week, and meeting friends at weekends. I did not expect what was on my way.
DENIAL
Then, statistics about the deadly virus being broadcast everywhere, the government imposed solitary confinement for everyone. My job offers are canceled. My agenda is emptied. No ‘to-do-lists’, no future plans…A bitter pill to swallow.
ANGER
Blaming governments, countries, irresponsible people, politicians and opportunists…I was up in arms over not being able to do anything about the situation.
BARGAINING
Honestly, I tried to find my way out. If I could not work nor be in social events, wasn’t it the best timing for realizing travel plans? My boyfriend and I live in different states; it seemed very romantic to reunite, being confined and travel together. I bought my flight tickets for April. Since the solitary confinement aimed March, the road trip seemed feasible…until all went worse.
DEPRESSION
At the end of March, solitary confinement period extended until further notice due to widely spread virus. My travel plan went up in smoke. No boyfriend, no parents and friend around, no social gathering, no job, no money… An inescapable battle with an invisible enemy, and me alone with my cat… Obsessively reading news about the virus and grieving for the ones who have been affected were blind alleys. I felt out of my depth and have been in the doldrums.
ACCEPTANCE
I am not used to get sick. Grown up by nutrition plan of a Mediterranean mother, the importance of a strong immune system is always in my mind. I could not stop myself reading all I could find about the virus which swept all my agenda. I was on tenterhooks, and that’s when I realized how I followed a very wrong strategy.
NEW APPROACH
I immediately stopped allowing the fear of virus taking control of my life. What was my intention? I needed to answer this question and to be focused on it. Since intentions need a daily action plan, so what I did. I followed my new daily to-do-lists referring my action plan. The result does my heart good.
Here is some rules that I follow. Feel free to choose among them.
No one expects cut and dried plan from you. Yet, being faithful to your daily “to-do list” would keep you on track.
1. Put your intention into words: “I am in peace and harmony with whatever happens. I want to use this period of self confinement for self development and well-being of everyone.”
2. Do something for people affected: Focusing on your well-being and spirituality does not mean living in ivory tower. If you are not affected by the virus, you are lucky. People may need your help. Everyone has something to offer. Help options are unique for each of us. Meditate and find out what you have to give without putting you and your loved ones in danger. I do groceries for elders in my building, and we send Reiki energy every Sunday with my community. Please check it out, and join us if you are interested in:
3. Ask for help: It is time to change your habit if you normally avoid asking help to others. It seems that we may be in a long period of self confinement which may cause weird feelings hard to deal with. Why overwhelming yourself for no reason? We share similar needs, let’s connect and help each other.
4. Clean apartment: We spend most of the time at home in solitary confinement. Our environment is in direct interaction with us, thus keeping it in an apple-pie order is useful.
5. Daily walk: Waking up early in the morning with sunrise really helps to anticipate the day ahead. It clarifies your mind and set aside all confusion and weird feelings you may have.
6. Daily prayer and meditation: Since religious places are temporarily closed, you may organize your own shrine at home. Try to choose sunniest corner which would help you to feel better. Also, creating a routine will provide you daily time space for prayers and meditation which should be the best actions we may perform during these difficult days. Offering your daily gratitude will make you realize how rich you are. Remember all time how lucky you are, since universe constantly offers you what you need most; love.
7. Drinking water regularly: Water is life. Either drinking warm herb teas or plain water, you need to take more liquid these days. Did you know that water has its consciousness? It is proven scientifically, and you can discover more about the miracle of water in this book: The Miracle of Water
8. Doing daily groceries : Fortunately, we are not in a penury. We don’t need to stock goods. Please keep in mind this great reality while you go shopping, and avoid buying more than you need so that people in your community may also buy their essential needs like yourself. We are connected to each other in every level. You would not eat your stocked food with a clear conscious when your neighbor would be hungry.
9. Daily showers: Showers are marvelous for relaxing. Everything puts extra stress on us because of the pandemic. In every shower, imagine and visualize how tension flows away from your existence. If you take your showers after your daily walk or your groceries is even better.
10. Reading : Doing cleaning in your bookcases at home in order to choose the ones to donate and to make room for new books is really fun. You may try to catch up your reading by following best sellers of Indigo. They did Up to 40% off Bestsellers.
11. Dreaming after pandemic: How about writing a “dream notebook” and put inside whatever you wish to realize after the solitary confinement period? Efficient way of not being distracted by anything unnecessary and focusing on what is essential in your life. Maybe you want to do this unforgettable spiritual yoga trip? Please click the banner below, and you will definitely find it there…
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12. Reading news once a day: We need to stay informed everyday so that we can be able to follow our government’s measures against pandemic. It is important and necessary, however keeping track of the number of people affected by the pandemic is not.
13. Watch comedy shows : It is the best time for re-discovering comedy shows. We all need laughing in order to be in good mood which is one of the most helpful ways of keeping a powerful immune system. You may use your time on the couch for injecting your daily laughter dosage.”Laughter is the best medicine”
14. Dancing: I discover the therapeutic effects of dancing thanks to this period. I practice “Inner fire dance” every week online. A real workout at your paste, and so much fun! Do you want to join us every Sunday? Make yourself a gift. Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/events/816092205552259/
15. Do recycled crafts: You don’t need to buy materials to be creative. You may try to enhance your craft skills by practicing recycle art with using what you have already used. No waste, no consumption, just creation!
16. Cook : Consuming animal products is very toxic for humans in every level. Learning vegan recipes will help you to discover how amazing eating plant-based (if you are not vegan already). Welcome to delicious food kingdom and source of health for every being on Planet Earth!
17. Go vegan, now!: Did you know that all deadly viruses for humans are generated by animal products consumption? If you don’t believe it, check the video of World Health Organization about the origin of this virus:
You can’t unring a bell. On the other hand, you can prevent future pandemics. What do you wait to become a vegan and join the health club of millions of members in the world? Veganism is an enormous movement which turns extreme consumption habits into providing, and brings justice to beings exploited by humans who adopt destroyer actions. It is time to go vegan for the well-being of every being if you have not been already. “You are what you eat”. Order your free vegan starter kit from PETA: https://www.peta.org/living/food/free-vegan-starter-kit/
18. Playing games: If you have a family, playing board games will help you to avoid conflicts. If your family is your pet (as in my case), play with your baby. Pure happiness!
19. Nap with your pet: When I was working, I did not have time to contemplate sweet moments of napping with my baby girl cat Ekiki. Now we have daily napping and “sharing love” sessions. The sound of cat purring is a powerful medicine for humans.
20. Early wake ups and bedtime: Routine definitely diminishes level of anxiety. It gives comfort. You should sleep enough to keep your immune system in top shape. Try to avoid abusing anything which would disturb your sleeping routine; alcohol, smoking, caffeinated drinks, processed food, watching too much shows or playing too much video games, etc…”Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”
21. Contact your loved ones: Don’t be a fair-weather friend. Keeping in touch with your loved ones and with whom you socialize often, having their news is very important. We are isolated at home, however our connection with others still exists. Our way of communicating should undergo some changes, but not interrupted. Consider talking about your feelings and making space for your loved ones to share theirs when you communicate rather than exchanging news about pandemic.
22. Donate to animal shelters and refuges: Why animal shelters? That’s because animals are the most innocent, and they suffer the consequences of humans’ actions. Helping animals is a zero interest act (they can not vote, nor fulfill your material needs; the only thing they can give is love), so if you want to give, donations to animal shelters is more than welcome. Giving to most innocents of the society is the best help you can receive. You can also help them by your shopping. Please check out the link below.
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23. Online courses: Which skill would you want to add to your competences? We have at our fingertips an extensive repertoire of online courses. Acquiring new skills will pay dividends at the end of this period, and they will open doors for more job options. Personally, I learn more about Reiki, I do permaculture and Kung Fu training, I join dancing sessions, and studying English idioms. All online. Very busy to learn!
24. Plant your food: Learning to grow my food at home is another skill that I always wanted to have. In this period of self confinement, I have enough time to learn about it everyday. Did you know that you can regrow what you bought from grocery stores? No need to buy seeds! I first tried with celery, and here is the result:
This youtube channel is helpful to me:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCARXOI1UlItgIevoI5jZViQ
25. Workout and yoga: A healthy mind in a healthy body. I used to workout and do yoga at gym. If you did not have space at home for workout before, please try to organize one with whatever you have. It is time to use your gym equipment which was collecting dust. If you are short on yoga equipment, Gaiam has very good options. Check out Nimai Delgado’s online workout program and banner below.
Nimai Delgado, vegan bodybuilder
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26. Fall in love: Love is in the air, and everywhere. You can be in love with anything. “A loveless life is a living death.” Look at these, aren’t they lovely?
27. Art of doing nothing: Before this health crisis, it seemed like we did not have the right to “do nothing”. We were expected to stay focused constantly, and the delight of woolgathering has been long forgotten. Let’s re-appropriate it! Do you want to be inspired? This book may help you:
Link-the art of doing nothing book
28. Stay away from manipulations: Definitely you witness people around you or in social media pouring oil on frames by telling all kind of unverified conspiracy theories. They throw a red herring into the situation, and nothing more than distractions. Fear can not be the solution for anything. So what is the solution? The answer is next…
29. Keep focused: Don’t tilt at windmills. Instead, you should focus on your intention, objectives and plans. Any self improvement that you would achieve with yourself will have a ripple effect on the well-being of everyone as a whole. Nothing better to do.
30. CONGRATULATIONS! WE ARE DOING OUR BEST
Humans asked for change, but we can not make bricks without straw. Do we have skills to create a new world? Self confinement period is a gift offered to us temporarily, and unique opportunity for us to make best of it by letting go old unnecessary habits and settling new ones for well-being of everyone. After the confinement, everything might be new. After all, who wants to restore the unsustainable lifestyle and maintain the status quo? New economics, new job opportunities, new world, and new us with new habits and skills…Why not?
Please feel free to share what makes you happy during this period of self confinement so that we can be inspired of your personal experiences and ideas. Take care of yourself, be virus-free and happy!
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