The Furlough diaries: Week 2

Solitude is very different from a ‘time-out’ from our busy lives. Solitude is the very ground from which community grows. Whenever we pray alone, study, read, write, or simply spend quiet time away from the places where we interact with each other directly, we are potentially opened for a deeper intimacy with each other.

Henri Nouwen

I had a sudden realisation last night as I sipped my ‘sleepy tea’ and watched my favourite programme; Race Across the World. It was a Sunday night feeling I’m not accustom to. It was contentment.

Sunday nights usually bring me anxiety, even if I have perfectly okay day planned on the Monday, I get anxiety. With no work in the morning, and nothing to attend to except what I felt like when I awoke, it dawned on me, that I need this time.

I need it to re-evaluate, I need it to create, to reflect, to learn, and to practise patience.

This gave me a different perspective as I entered my second week of furlough. The first week it felt like a novelty. It felt like a holiday. This last week was a week of acceptance.

I settled into week two continuing my exercise morning routines. I was particularly pleased as we managed to complete a full week of home work-outs, even opting for a harder session on Wednesday. The previous week we did three and did two long walks. I even went out for a walk on one of the days I worked-out.

READ MORE: The Furlough Diaries: Week 1

On Saturday we walked to the Marina again and back. This amassed 13,000 steps, I really enjoyed this walk, and it felt quicker this week.

The rest of my days were spent doing an online course. I have now completed 30 hours of one of the modules, so I have another 70 hours online study to complete. I’m really happy with this achievement and I have enjoyed the course so far.

After our walk on Saturday I decided to get creative. I had ordered some oil paint the week previous, but hadn’t got round to opening them. I had a really nice photo of my dog I took at the beach, so I decided to paint this photo of him.

I surprised myself with how well it turned out, having not used oil paints before. It actually looks like him, so I am pleased with the outcome.

After scrubbing the paint off my hands I had a call with my best friend and it was so nice to see her. As far as Saturdays go I feel like that one was pretty great.

On Sunday I gave myself a day off. I had a bath, made and ate a Sunday dinner with my boyfriend and I finished watching Unorthodox on Netflix. It was really nice to have a chilled day.

READ MORE: Self-care Sunday on lockdown – it’s time to breathe

If I had to summarise the last week in three words it would be: educational, creative and energising.

I know not everyone will be feeling the same way as me, but I can only speak from my perspective. I feel more positive when the days get brighter and I do more exercise.

But that’s not to say I’m not finding this difficult too. I miss my dogs and cat so much, I miss hugging my mum and hanging out with my brother, I miss going for coffee with my Gran. I know it will happen one day, i just have to be patient.

Stay safe and well, beans.