We are coming to the end of the second week of “stay at home” here in Singapore and many of you in other countries have been in lockdown even longer. Our lives have changed enormously, nobody has ever anticipated anything like this, and we do not know how much longer this situation will last. We take hope from the facts and statistics of some of the countries that are kind of “ahead” of us, but new waves of the Covid 19 virus keep coming. It is a worrying time for all of us but we must keep our spirits up during this lockdown.
Our home is our private sanctuary, and for most of us it is now also our work place. Some are lucky to have a home office, some have managed to set up a work corner, others float between bedroom and sofa with their laptops. Oh, and school is now at home too! Our home has certainly become a rather busy place and more crowded than usual.
I am enjoying having all my boys at home again (think of the “silver lining”) and I must say things have been running surprisingly smooth in our house so far. But I can also see how the current situation can become a (very) stressful time for many.
So I thought I’d put down some suggestions (including some Feng Shui tips of course) to help you keep your spirits up during this challenging time.
- Extra sleep!
Yes, without my son having to go off to school (e-learning started this week) and hubby working from home, we actually get an extra hour of sleep in the morning! Allow yourself to replace the time of your morning commute with extra sleep. Sleep is so important and too many people are lacking sleep due to our hectic lifestyles.
- De-Clutter your Home (if you feel like it)
I have already seen many posts on social media about ladies de-cluttering their homes. This is great! Being forced to spend more time at home also gives you more “free” time at home, which you can use to re-organise and de-clutter your space if you feel like it. Being inspired and motivated to make our home look and feel nicer and more organised is certainly a good thing and the completed task will make you happy.
- Write a Journal
These are extraordinary times that none of us have experienced before. While records of this time will surely be available later (eg history books for schools or media), a personal journal would be something incredibly valuable and interesting to share with your children or grandchildren in 20-30 years’ time, don’t you think?
Plus, putting thoughts in writing can also have a very therapeutic effect and can be useful to deal with and confront worries and anxiety.
Although I haven’t started yet, I am still hoping to write my journal, documenting things like the toilet paper panic and other unexpected side effects of this pandemic, describing our family’s situation, the effects on our lives (uni cancelled, exams cancelled, on-line learning, etc etc) sprinkled with some own literary thoughts – abstract, real or funny ….. Who knows where the journal will lead me once I start writing?
- Send Greetings to your Loved Ones
The first thing I did when lockdowns were announced in Germany and the UK (they came earlier than Singapore) – I wrote greeting cards to some of our family and friends whom we haven’t seen for a while. I had the urge to tell them that I am thinking of them in these difficult times, hoping that everyone was well. In this digital age, very few people still write letters, not even birthday cards, and this is such an easy way to make someone happy! This lockdown period is the ideal time to renew old friendships and family ties, something we often don’t find the time for because we are so busy.
- Pursue a Passion
This stay-at-home time also allows us to find ourselves again in different ways. I do feel that life has slowed down a bit, which gives us time to re-discover old hobbies or pursue a new passion. With no colleagues or bosses peeking over your shoulder you might be inspired to apply your skills in a new direction or pursue your own dreams!
I learnt to spin wool a few years ago (that was one of my childhood dreams come true) and I had not touched my spinning wheel for months. Last Sunday I finally dusted it and started spinning again. I hadn’t been spinning for so long, I had forgotten how to thread the wool! That was super embarrassing and in the end it was my son who figured out how to do it!
- Update your Feng Shui
Yes, this is the perfect time to think about the Feng Shui of your home. With your whole family being quarantined at home, this is the most important thing you can do to ensure a harmonious time for you all. If you haven’t already done so, start by looking at the Feng Shui basics. There is a lot of information available on-line and on my website.
If you are already familiar with Feng Shui, have a look at the monthly Flying Stars. The Flying Stars are used to express the constantly changing energy and the stars can hit you hard if you are not prepared. Use the extra time you spend at home to update your Feng Shui on a monthly basis. It really does not take long once you’ve got the hang of it.
The most important things to look out for are the rooms that are affected by the No 2 Illness Star, the No 3 Quarrelsome Star and the No 5 Misfortune Star.
In April, the No 2 affects the North, the No 3 affects the SW and the matriarchs, and the No 5 affects the SE.
In May, the No 2 will be in the SW, the No 3 will be in the East and the No 5 will be in the Centre, bringing grave danger to all family members! You can look out for my monthly Flying Stars updates on FB and on my website or subscribe to my monthly newsletter.
- Appreciate the Extra Time you have with your Family
Nobody lives in a picture book of perfect happiness all the time. Being quarantined in your home and literally spending 24/7 with your partner and/or children can be very trying and might lead to fights and arguments between spouses or siblings. If you have young children, it can be particularly exhausting to keep them occupied all day long (I remember those days well; I used to be so stressed!).
Take some “time out” to meditate, exercise or whatever it is that gives you new strength and energy. Your mental and emotional wellbeing is extremely important. Be generous with yourself and those who live with you and appreciate the extra time you can spend with your family. Positivity is key!
This time of Covid 19 will mark us for a very long time. I sincerely hope that you are all safe and well and that we will see the light at the end of the tunnel soon. Lots of tragedies are unfolding, but we are also seeing many good things; people coming together and helping each other. The amount of support and love is heartwarming. May we all come out of this stronger, and with a new perspective and appreciation of life.