Lessons Learned From Being in Quarantine

I feel it is vital that we each continue to discover the power behind flexibility and changing routines.  Simultaneously, that we strengthen healthy habits, adapt but also develop trust throughout periods of uncertainty, and also tap into our personal creativity as we learn new skills.  Quarantine forced its hand in this process and I am thankful.

The impetus for thinking more about this “transformation,” dare I use such a commanding word, was the result of an e-mail from a friend I hadn’t heard from since B.P.  (before pandemic).  His comments spurred some reflection, as I wondered what might have been some of the “good by-products” of confinement.   My friend shared the following:
“I was able to go paddleboarding for the first time this spring. I bought a new inflatable paddleboard and went out with a friend – it was a beautiful day and the new paddleboard works great. I’ve been outdoors a lot this spring – going for long runs, walks and bike rides, and now paddle boarding. I’ve lost about 20 pounds and have been really getting fit. It’s been a welcome change, and a good by-product of the confinement and working from home.”
I am breaking “good by-products” of quaran-time into four categories.


I. Habits I Developed or Strengthened 
  • Long daily walks
  • Personal workouts (One of My Favorites)
  • Yoga (Thanks Adriene)
  • More frequent bike rides out into the outskirts of Bangkok
  • Podcasts (One of my favorites)
  • Twitter more active (@mpiercy35)
  • Digital portfolio / Blogging~teaching reflections
  • Time just being with our cats!
  • Daily coffee and enjoying the morning birdsong
  • Making teacher YouTubes and screencast tutorials
  • Vegetarian lifestyle (going on completion of the 5th month!)


II. Books I’ve Read


III. Writing to Which I Dedicated Myself
*Concurrently crafting an article titled, “Climate at the Apex of Education Re-design”


IV. Movies/Series I Watched
  • The Last Dance
  • Got to Call Saul
  • Bodyguard
  • House of Flowers
  • Dead to Me
  • Sick Note
  • Tiger King
  • How to Get Away With Murder
  • Love Sick
  • Ozark