At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we encouraged community members to send in their stories of kindness, whether it was about others, yourself or local business. The purpose of sharing these stories was to allow community members to share some of their positive pandemic experiences with fellow community members. These messages were extremely powerful and brought a smile to some people’s faces on some of the loneliest days.
Thank you everyone who sent in a story.
Looking after myself
I established a routine - bend/stretch exercises after breakfast, computer - checked emails/facebook/a couple of games, kept up household tasks, watched diet, arranged for delivery of groceries & scripts. A short walk most days. Have classic FM on most of the day.
Jean
The Trip that Wasn't
When Covid-19 was declared a Pandemic and travel restrictions were imposed I was gutted. I had a trip to the US and Eastern Canada planned for May which I postponed. However, in the lead up to the trip I decided to recoup what I could from a different angle. I started by making foods, some of them the stereotypical US foods, but I also tapped into the foods of other cultures that can be found in North America and had a shot at making a Native American recipe. I also checked out a number of virtual tours of my destinations (and beyond) to connect me with those places. While it wasn't quite as exciting as the real thing, it was a positive way of handling something that had the potential to get me down big time.
Sa4mel
Life of a carer - Finally taking care of myself
As a carer, I have spent numerous years putting the person I care for, first. Frantically running them around to appointments, managing their daily activities, and all the little things in-between which build up and eventually lead to burning myself out.
Isolation has provided me with the time and the space to focus on myself. I have indulged in regular baths with my favourite candles burning, consuming myself in reading, and going on daily walks down to my local cafe - supporting them by buying my fave drink on their menu - a choc banana smoothie! I have put my mental health first and have given myself the time and space now to work with my psychologist on implementing strategies and supports I once deemed myself "too busy" and "not a priority" for.
Our family has commenced a Sunday ritual which is home made pizza and games. This provides routine, quality time and most importantly -FUN to our week.
My caring role can still be difficult, there are days that are still hard, but isolation has helped me bring calm to chaos.
Emily
Life under social isolation
Many positive things have come with changes to our normal busy lifestyle. We are in an older age bracket but have enjoyed staying active by exercising regularly at the Croydon Athletic track. We are keeping up with the family, friends and social groups via Zoom. Our family have been wonderful even though they have busy lives themselves with phone calls and dropping off shopping. We are avid readers so are enjoying time reading through the day. My husband loves cooking and has spent more time poring over cook books and experimenting with new recipes. Certainly a different lifestyle for us but quite relaxing.
Monica
Nothing gets in the way of book club!
It's nothing special, we are catching up by Zoom like everyone else in these weird COVID times, but our book club continues to meet and share stories - our own, our family's, our shared reading, our feelings about COVID life ... and much more. We have been meeting so long that none of us can really remember exactly when - but we think it is 12 years or so. Most of us live or work in Maroondah. We've seen babies and grandchildren born, watched our children grow up, go to uni and travel overseas, seen others find their life partners and we've all lost people very special to us in that time. But we love the 2nd Wednesday of each month when we can come together, have some bubbly, laugh, sometimes cry and just Be Kind to each other! We can't wait to give each other a very big hug when we get to meet in person again.
Robyn
Veggies galore!!
With social isolation I've had lots of time to give a little TLC to my veggie patch. As a reward I have an abundance of tomatoes, zucchinis, chilli's, lemons and herbs. For the first time, I'm now trying to grow potatoes and squash and have greens growing on my windowsill.