Tips for surviving social self isolation from a cancer thriver

I’ve been seeing so many posts about people freaking out about having to socially self isolate, and I’m sure people have lots of valid reasons to be scared, but for a lot of us on here with cancer, isolating ourselves from society isn’t a new thing.

So, if you find yourself having to socially isolate, here are a few things, that won’t break the bank, and that got me through a lot of months during chemo;

– Read. Read widely and indiscriminately. Read things that challenge you, read trash,  read about history and deep space and wild love affairs and real lives.

– Binge watch something. May I, if you’ve not already seen them, suggest iZombie, Schitts Creek, Community, Santa Clarita Diet…..

–  Clear out your wardrobes. And drawers. And shoes. Make charity shop or clothes swap piles for when you’re able to mingle with society again.

–  Take yourself out into the wild and walk. Find somewhere open, where you’re unlikely to meet many people, because self isolating doesn’t mean you can’t leave your house!

–  Organise your holiday photos. Don’t tell me you’ve not had this on a mentalto do list for ever.

–  Take an online course. Loads of people offer free short courses, and I’m seeing a bunch of people moving conferences online and offering them free.

–  Start tidying up your garden. It’s the right time and to be doing it and it gets you outside too.

–  Shop the house for things you can move about to redecorate with.

–  Work your way through your crafting supplies. I don’t believe you don’t have them. (Maybe some self isolating will be the thing that gets me silversmithing again rather than running about doing everything but creating?)

–  And stay in touch with people. Text. Video chat. Call. Email. I think it’ll be easier if lots of people are having to self isolate because hopefully we’ll be aware that people are on their own.

I won’t lie, chemo was a very lonely time (outside a few friends), but if more people are experiencing this sort of world, I’m hoping everyone will help each other out with regards to staying in touch a bit more.

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