We’re in our fourth week at home. It’s been a lot of change that happened almost overnight, and it’s now our new normal-not just in the UK, but in many places around the world.

I am extremely extroverted, so this was a tough change for me. On top of that, I’m the type of person that likes having work and home life separate, and now my tiny flat is my home, office, and (in theory) gym. I also love routine and this means my normal routine, for the most part, is now out the window.

People NEED routine; it gives a sense of normalcy and sense of safety. People like to know what happens next, and one of the toughest things about this lockdown is not knowing when it will end; there is no hard deadline. Not only that, but we don’t know how it will end, what sort of permanent changes there will be, what the world will look like; there are too many unknowns. Uncertainty is never comfortable, but this is uncertainty on a whole new level.

Therefore, I’m trying to create a new routine; focusing on things I can control is all I can do. I’m still trying things out and adjusting. My initial attempt was to try to stick to everything I usually did, but I gave that up pretty quickly because I’m not doing most of the things I usually do (there is no need to put on a nice sweater when the furthest I’ll be going may be the balcony on a nice day.) A new routine was needed for my new normal.

I still get up at the same time every day. I had a morning routine that worked for me before the lockdown, and now I have adjusted it to fit my new normal. I still get changed but I don’t wear stuff I would wear to the office. I change into comfortable workout gear that I would usually wear to the gym. Aside from not wanting to be in PJs all day (tempting as that is,) I figure it will also motivate me to work out at home (it’s not working very well right now.) I have my coffee and breakfast and do some reading. I practice piano and I meditate. Then I start my workday.

I incorporate regular breaks to stretch and make coffee or tea. When I get frustrated, I’ll stop and meditate for a few minutes. I generally go for a walk during my lunch break, even if it’s just a short one around my neighbourhood. I time my walk so that when I get back, I can ease back into work by attending our new afternoon meeting: a quick pub quiz with our team. This has been something to look forward to during our workday; it’s a chance to chat with everyone and touch base and have some fun.

I generally have a call with a friend lined up in the evening; this is the best substitute that I have for actual socializing. I’m thankful we live in an age that makes it so easy to connect with others. Sometimes it’s a phone call; a couple of times it’s been a video call where it’s a virtual art date (I like to colour.) I set aside time to work on this blog, which is a completely new project.

I’m also investing more time into the hobbies I already enjoy. I’m baking and cooking more, and spending more time reading and playing the piano. I’m really trying to improve my meditation skills as I have found that this helps with my sleep. Occasionally I’ve spent some time gaming on the SNES Classic Mini Console-nothing like a bit of Super Mario Brothers and Donkey Kong Country to make you forget what’s happening in the world. I am limiting the amount of news I consume, and only check it once in the morning and once in the evening. I like to spend some time with my budgies and use them as my photography subjects (they are not amused.)

I also belong to a chat group that’s turned into a COVID-19 support group. We check in on each other, swap tips for coping, and try to stay positive. We’ll swap pictures of whatever art project or cooking project we’re working on. We also talk about the day that we can all hang out again, together, and give each other hugs and laugh together and cry together, and just generally soak in each other’s company. This does give me something to look forward to, even if I don’t know when this will be.

The lockdown probably won’t end anytime soon, so I’m reminding myself that even though being at home 24/7 isn’t fun (or normal,) it’s necessary and one day this will be over. And in the meantime, I’ll cope as best I can, and look forward to the day when I can travel again, walk into a grocery store without waiting in line, and, most importantly, make plans with friends where I can see them in the same room and share a meal and give them all big hugs.