Quarantine survivor's guide

In 2021, COLAB+'s team endured 45 days of self-isolation / wash-out / hard-quarantine across 3 continents. Here's what we've learnt.

Bedside table + stool = standing desk.

Here's a confession : I loved moving the furniture around wherever I was quarantining. It changed the look of a place, so it felt fresh, and was great exercise. If that's not your thing, maybe these top 5 tips will be:

Tip #1 - Moving target

Trying to make sense of quarantine rules and travel restrictions is like trying to herd cats. Focus on what is within your control - pay more for flexibility, bookmark important websites, set alerts that push updates to you.

Tip #2 - adjustment, not judgment

Adjusting in and out of quarantine is easier if you keep to your usual routines. Have fixed times for work, exercise, hobbies and sleep. At the same time, give yourself the weekends to lie in late or binge watch TV. Everybody needs a break. No one's judging.

Tip #3 - undistracted

Time alone + an absence of the usual distractions = a lot of time to self-reflect, whether you like it or not. Your mind will lob grenades of dormant, unresolved issues at you, and these can fester without someone to talk to. Book in online / phone counselling if you plan to be cooped up.

Tip #4 - matter of perspective

I wish I could be with my dogs / I miss the beach / I want a good Japanese meal / can't wait for a deep tissue massage ... rather than seeing these as things that you don't have, be glad you had them, and can easily have them again once you're out. After all, good things are worth the wait, right?

Tip #5 - post-quarantine

So now you've made a list of the things that you want to do / people you want to see (from tip #4), pace yourself. Seeing too many people leaves you less time to rest, and a sudden change in diet could be unsettling. Going into quarantine is an adjustment, but so is adjusting your old life.

The COLAB+ team is poised to support you through quarantine / post-quarantine. If you have any other ideas you'd like to share, let us know at colabmailbox@gmail.com.