An Introvert's Guide To Self Isolation #5

Happy Sunday my lovelies! Today’s Introvert’s Guide To Self Isolation is about making regular everyday events fun! 

I couldn’t sleep last night so decided to dress up and watch a movie, and it was a blast! (This isn’t cabin fever, I haven’t been isolated that long, it’s just me!) I’m sure many of you with young kids have all sorts of costumes to match their favourite movies! And if you’re currently homeschooling, why not turn it into an activity with a worksheet or questions to answer at the end?

Instead of a regular lunch, you could have a picnic party on the floor or in the garden. Again, these are things you can still do if you DON’T have kids, just saying!

The point is, enjoy the little things. Take that long bubble bath with a glass of wine. Have a date night at home with candles and the “good” plates and glasses. And share your ideas with others so we can help each other out!

An Introvert's Guide To Self Isolation #4

Happy Saturday my lovelies! What do you have planned for today? My Introvert’s Guide To Self Isolation tip for today is to surround yourself with things that make you happy! 

I have many collections of things that make me smile whenever I look at them; skulls, fairies, rubber duckies, books, art, etc etc. I’m not materialistic in the sense that I want designer labels or anything, but everything I have has sentimental value for me. Partly because, being so far away from home, it’s nice to have physical reminders of people and places, but mainly because I remember every gift that was ever given to me, and from whom. 

My library has these crystals in the window that create all these pretty rainbows, and how can you not smile when seeing those? I also love being surrounded by my books, so it’s the perfect spot to curl up and relax with a book and a glass of wine. 

Having said all that, this is also a good time to purge your home of things that no longer “spark joy”. There’s no point keeping things that are no longer useful or no longer make you happy. I will never be a minimalist, but I have been busy lately revisiting and rearranging thing, and getting rid of what is no longer needed.

And on that note, there are going to be a lot of people that need some extra help coming out of this scary time. Please consider donating your old clothes and items to places that will do the most good!

An Introvert's Guide To Self Isolation #3

Happy Friday my lovelies! How are you all coping with things today? My Introvert’s Guide To Self Isolation tip today is a pretty important one, especially now that so many of you are working from home.

If you don’t have a home office, do try to keep a dedicated work space. Somewhere in your home where you can keep your computer, your books, your files, whatever paraphernalia you need to do your job, but keep it tidy and contained. 

Most of you usually have a commute to and from work, so there’s a real physical distance between your job and your home. Now that you’re at home, you don’t have that separation and it’s important to try to keep that work stress away from the rest of your life. 

This is an especially stressful time for everyone right now, so we should do what we can to minimise that. I highly recommend keeping to a set schedule as much as possible, and when you’re done with work for the day, step away and enjoy the rest of your home life. For me, relaxing in my library with a glass of wine is a great end to the day!

An Introvert's Guide To Self Isolation #2

Hello my lovelies! Here’s another tip from An Introvert’s Guide To Self Isolation: Binge watching!
 

With Netflix and Disney+, plus whatever movies or tv shows you have in your collection, I’m sure you have a LOT to watch! Personally, I also love watching all the special features, behind the scenes stories, and of course bloopers! 

So I looked up the run time of the Lord Of The Rings movies, and the extended versions are over 12 hours total. Obviously, that’s not including the approximately three weeks worth of special features, which should keep you going for a while! I have always loved the artwork connected with the books, especially that done by Alan Lee and John Howe, who are two of my idols. And you get to see quite a bit of them in the special features, which makes my little geek heart happy! 

I tend to rewatch old shows and movies that I know and love, and don’t have to pay much attention to, since I’m usually also crafting or catching up with social media at the same time. I’m currently rewatching Buffy The Vampire Slayer and enjoying it immensely! What are you watching right now?

An Introvert's Guide To Self Isolation #1

Hello my lovelies, here is my first official Introvert’s Guide To Self Isolation video tip: READING!
 

I’m a huge bookworm and pass many happy hours reading. Personally, I love science fiction and fantasy tales. I love the escapism, and I feel like I need that now more than ever! But read whatever you want. Set up a book list of titles you always meant to read, and enjoy them. You could set up a book club with friends and discuss what you’ve read via FaceTime at the end of the week!

I’m the kind of person that will read anything, anywhere, (unless I’m in a car, because then I get motion sickness... but trains, planes and boats don’t bother me!) but if you’re not used to reading on a regular basis, I recommend you create a cosy nook at home, with plenty of light, comfy cushions and blankets, and your favourite drinks and snacks. You may never want to leave! 

What are you all reading right now? I’m rereading The Mists Of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, which is definitely one of my most favourite books of all time. (It’s so difficult to pick just one!)

An Introvert's Guide To Self Isolation

Hello my lovelies. Lately I’ve had some requests for more videos. I’ve also seen a lot of dialogue about what to do during a lockdown. Well, as an introvert with several major health issues, I don’t leave the house very often at the best of times! So I thought I would use some of my quarantine time to film some hopefully helpful, hopefully amusing, short videos on tips and ideas for how to keep yourself entertained during this crazy time. Welcome to An Introvert’s Guide To Self Isolation! Stay safe, stay healthy, stay sane, and stay tuned for more videos to come. 

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day my lovelies! I know that most of you won't be able to celebrate in the ways you are accustomed to this year, due to the Coronavirus and self isolation, as well as most gatherings being cancelled or banned. Did you know that all the pubs in Ireland have been closed?! I worry far more about the affect this will have on the economy than I do about getting sick. Personally, I never experienced the crazy shenanigans some people expect today, until I moved to America. And it came as a big shock! I'll let you in on a little secret: Nobody drinks green beer in Ireland! Also, it's Patrick, or Paddy. Never, EVER, Patty!

My first St Paddy's Day here, my ex insisted on going out. We went to a dive bar that was playing reggae music. Not exactly traditional. Luckily for me, they were already out of green beer, and I was more than happy to drink Guinness instead. I was accosted by a huge Jamaican man with waist length dreadlocks from the band, for not wearing green. I pointed out that I was the most Irish thing in the room, but apparently that's not enough in this country. And I got pinched! That was new to me too.

Tonight, since I forgot to stock up on Guinness, I will most like be drinking cheap wine out of a Guinness pint glass, and watching Dropkick Murphys live stream their annual Boston concert, since they can't do the show in person. I am also wearing shamrock socks, so no pinches for me!

Here are some photos of my last trip to Donegal. These are the things I think about when I think of Ireland. It's not just about the green beer and wigs. To me, Ireland is blue waters, golden sands, grey rocks, and yes, the ubiquitous Black Stuff, as well as every shade of green that you can imagine. It's warm sun, cool mists, swimming in freezing waters, and bonfires on the beach. It's live music, beautiful singing, poetry, and a good craíc. It's long hikes and warming up in a cozy pub afterwards. It's castles and pirates and a history both bloody and beautiful. I never lived there, but it is home. And I plan on moving as soon as I can make it happen. 

PSA: Check On Your Strong Friends.

Hello my lovelies. I am sorry that it has been so long since I have written anything here. I have been going through a lot of emotional turmoil lately. I and my boyfriend of almost 12 years broke up back in January, and I have honestly been struggling significantly with my mental health. I am bi-polar, and I have depression, and have been that way for most of my life. Some days are better than others, but as you might imagine, certain life-changing events can easily set me into a downward spiral that is so difficult to crawl back up out of. The photo below was taken on a good day when I felt fierce and strong. The video was on a not-so-good day when I had zero hope. Sometimes those moments can be hours or even minutes apart.

One of my resolutions this year was to write more. I had intended to write here much more often, but then everything seems to have been put on hold while I dealt with these major changes in my life. I wanted to share my thoughts, my feelings, including about my depression, but then I wasn't sure if I should. I filmed the video here over a month ago, intending on sharing it then, but it was just too painful at the time. However, now I am feeling a little stronger and think that it does serve to get my point across. I think it is important to talk about mental health. There is still such a stigma surrounding that topic, and I personally, have dealt with decades of misunderstanding, fear and even loathing when people see those sides of me. Everyone is dealing with struggles and challenges we know nothing about. We know this. But it's easy to forget as we deal with our own issues. My point is, be kind. Check on everyone, including your strong friends.