Today, one of my fellow Instagrammers asked, ‘what do travel bloggers do during a quarantine?’ My answer? Not a lot. Staying positive, mainly.
The UK is predicted to be around three weeks behind Italy in terms of severity, and only two weeks behind France – which is probably why the British government has only just announced that we should all be staying indoors.
Due to the fact that I have Crohn’s Disease, an autoimmune disease, I have had to self-isolate for the past four days as the Coronavirus has made its way to the county of Ceredigion. My immune system simply would not be able to fight against a virus like this taking root inside my body, so I have had to cut off pretty much all social interactions for now. Every single one of my social events for the next few months have been cancelled, so it’s a pretty weird time to be a third year university student. At this point, it’s unlikely we will be getting a graduation ceremony.
I am staying at my girlfriend’s house for the time being, as it is has a large sun window overlooking the ocean, less people coming in and out, and is fully stocked with all of my food. I will be laying low for the next few weeks, monitoring the situation across the country and trying to shield myself from the Coronavirus.
This self-isolation has meant that I have had a lot of time to really focus on things I’ve been putting off. I’m reading a bunch of travel books that I hadn’t found the time to read, writing articles for local magazines (since all of my NWR cultural correspondent duties have been cancelled for the meanwhile), cooking an unholy amount of pasta, watching Love is Blind (I’m disgusted, too) on Netflix, and trying to finalise publishing the first issue of a new local magazine. I’ve been doing yoga and painting-by-numbers, and spending time with the love of my life. At this point, there really is nothing left to do but breathe and stay calm.
Personally, I’m trying to focus on the positive news in the world – such as wildlife returning to cities that have been ruined by humans, little acts of kindness that people are doing for one another, and the fact that air pollution in China has dropped by 30%. The world seems to be healing, even if humans are not.
I had only decided to write this post about 40 minutes ago, as many of you were asking about how it was affecting myself and my country. There has only been a handful of cases in Wales at this moment, but that number is expected to grow for the next month or so. So far, there has only been one local fatality.
Ultimately, the answer to the earlier question is that travel bloggers are staying home with their families during the quarantine, eating food, watching movies, scribbling notes, listening and learning. I feel as though this is a truly strange time in history, and we should really be spending our time trying to do whatever good we can, in whichever ways we can.
I hope that you are all keeping safe, and are feeling well during this pandemic. I love you all endlessly.
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I feel your pain I do not have Chrons but SIBO which I developed because of adhesions which form after surgery is though to be an allergic reaction. But sadly it is a 24/7 problem for me.
Hey Amy! Hope you’re doing good in these weird times! And thanks for your kind message, the situation in Spain and in many parts of Europe is really chaotic but at least I can work from home.
An yes, now is good time to spot valuable content creators, since some resources are limited but creativity must flow, specially in these complicated days….
It is not a good time to book a trip, but it is definitely a good time to learn something new about the culture of other countries, taking an online tour to a museum or even learn a language.
Hope you keep safe and hope we can all travel with your photos again!
It is interesting to learn about how people are doing with COVID forcing us into self-isolation. I am glad that you’re taking it easy and trying to prevent yourself from getting stick. Love that you’re taking advantage by doing things you’ve been wanting to do! Sometimes, we need to see some good in the situation. It’s not the most ideal thing to be stuck in this, but hopefully things will get better!
Nancy ♥
It’s true that quarantining may not be ideal but it’s the best thing to do to slow down the spread of this virus and we all need to make the best of the situation for the time being. It sounds like you’re in a good place and taking good care of yourself. I’m so sorry to hear you might not be getting a graduation ceremony. This has deterred the plans of many. Stay safe and healthy Amy!
It’s good you have a safe place to stay and plenty of food to see you through! 🙂 It’s nice that you can do so many fun things too. I have to look after the kids so I’m pretty busy even if we stay home all day, haha!
Hope that you are having a nice weekend 🙂 It’s another quiet one here, with all that’s going on in the world!
Despite of the covid outbreak I’d also like take it on the positive side like less pollution and better environment. Stay safe indoors! 🙂
Take care! 🙂
xoxo,
SHAIRA
As disappointed as well are that we can’t travel we too are finding way to occupy ourselves while staying home..
Stay well.
It’s truly an unfortunate time for everyone right now. I just hope more people will take this problem seriously. Keep safe dear.
It is such a wild, scary time. I’m so glad you’re protecting yourself (and with an ocean view!) to stay safe. SO important for the immunocompromised and those with autoimmune conditions.
I’m hoping this all passes over soon- I fear that we’ll need to social distance well into the summer to really reduce the spread of this virus.
-Ashley x
It’s scary times ahead for humans yet there is also something so pleasing to see Mother Nature repairing and restoring herself while we’re out of the picture. For me work is still business as usual but my hours have been reduced greatly. I’m planning on using that time to do more blogging, something I haven’t been able to do for a while now.
Stay safe over there
Sxx
It’s definitely a challenging time right now, I like how you’re working to stay positive. I hope all is well xx
It’s wonderful that you are able to be riding out the lockdown with your girlfriend in her gorgeous home, and wonderful to read that you are stocked up with food.
You have my sympathy for your having to deal with the extra immune vulnerability from having Crohn’s Disease.
I love the outfit you styled and were wearing in the second photo above. The floral print crop top and black trousers look fabulous together and your hair looks very pretty.
I haven’t been getting around that well lately and got too discouraged by the report of lines and waits outside the supermarket today for people wanting to go grocery shopping – and I stayed home.
All the best. xx <3
Hope you’re doing well Amy and crossing my fingers this will be over soon.
Such strange times! I totally agree. I feel like we’re going through something mindblowing right now. Have these photos been taken at your girlfriends’ place or before the shutdown? It looks amazing! Hope you stay well and enjoy being able to have time to finish off all those little things. I sure hope things go back to normal soon.
These photos were taken just before the quarantine fell into place, at a gorgeous country house called Plas Dinas 🙂
Glad to hear you are staying safe Amy. We all have to stay home and stay positive.
xoxo
Lovely
I have Crohns so I know how you feel. I’m still on Imuran and that lowers my immune system even more. I can’t even go to see my doctors because it is just emergency cases now but it is ok, I’m used to my symptoms and I don’t really worry. Like yourself, I’m trying to be positive and stay productive. I’m focusing on online teacher and helping my students with homework.
Yes, you’ve to be very careful with your health. It’s true that for the moment it’s good for the envirnoment, but I think we will have lot of trash not recyclable when it’s over, so I don’t think it’s really good for the environment! 🙁
I love to read:) I’m spending my time really getting back to paper and catching up on all these books I’ve missed.
Books, Laptop, and Travel Memories, these are my best mates in the days of quarantine. And I am loving it. I don’t know about the others but this phase will never gonna return so enjoy it at its best.
It’s a dark time for everyone around the world indeed, but yes, it’s a good opportunity for everyone to spend more time with their families. Keep safe dear!