What we learn from social distancing is that we are perfectly capable to survive staying at home.

It is only during the unprecedented times that we can know how far human can survived hardship and being able to face life challenges.

Going through the uncertainties, coping with our fears and anxiety, how to be able to push ourselves to try and learn new things, how are we able to continue living with good spirit and have a healthy attitude.

It is all behavioural shifts.

These are some things happening in my live and my surroundings.

Just to take note, I have been working from home on and off for the last 5 years. My husband and I are freelancers and consultants but also passionate writers so we are used to having our lives structured in a way that working from home is able to do.

As for our child, from early on, I tried to structure a practice of day to day habit. So when the pandemic hit social distancing time, we were also able to maintain a good daily routine from home.

For instance, no matter what day it is, school days or weekends, we would all get up of bed around 6 to 6.30. Evan our child goes to bath, have breakfast and then ready to start the day. I and my husband would do our morning routine, like talking walks or do some exercise.

So by 8 am he will say, “What do I have to do now, mama ?”

A frame to life. Is what the most important aspect we must have, I think. The structure keeps us going. Discipline comes from the daily routine we do. So if one of them didn’t happen we would feel something is missing and make our self to do as we need it to.

Like sunbathing in the morning or exercising every day.

For our son specifically, we have added some additional routines that could help him mentally occupied and yet be energised. We could change the time when do it but still becomes something we have to do within the day. It’s hard not to have anything to do and keep your mind busy. It’s not lazy. It’s simply empty. That void is dangerous.

A day in a life of Evan consist of,

• Waking up at 6.
• 5 minutes’ exercise.
• Bath
• Breakfast.
• Chill with an iPad or TV or playing games.
• After Mama is ready, start to do his practice. A two combination between piano, Indonesian literature or multiplication.
• The rest of the day would be free to play or school time.

We have projects to occupy his thoughts or get him in the mood as a monthly goal. Like making a comic book or craft a handmade game.

We don’t encourage day time sleeping mainly for the reason to have a good sleep when the night comes.

We would make something exciting for lunch just to excite up the mood.

And we would also do something together on the weekends like morning walks or watching a movie.

But Evan is a good boy. He is good on his own. He can manage to entertain himself, by himself. That’s a relief. And also a blessing.

Back to surviving on our own is that we learn to take care of ourselves on our own.

• Starting from learning how to cooks meals that we usually have from restaurants.

Cooking has become an enjoyable activity to do. Some for coping mechanism. But to me is mostly to excite the whole family as something to look for as we continue staying at home. Making things that seems easy and continue to do for others become a hobby or start a homemade business.

• Exercising without going to the gym. I found some applications that helps us and really guide us on yoga and exercise according to what suitable for our needs.

• Produce our own vegetables or produce our own needs.

• Back to natural remedy. We would also send and re-stock these to our closest family near to our house.

Back to Social distancing life lessons.

Tyas is now Partner Consultant and Trainer on Digital and Social Media at Bangwin Consulting, Freelancer, Writer/Blogger, Podcaster. For project enquiries, tyas@bangwinconsulting.com