Social distancing.

Such simple words, and yet, are packed with a heavy psychological burden on us, humans.

We’re social beings, and love to be around others—family, friends, coworkers, acquaintances. Interacting and talking in close proximity with one another is the preferred method of communication. And now, with this pandemic we’re facing, chatting within inches from each other is forbidden. We are told you have to stay at least six feet away from one another to have a conversation.

This is our new normal— now. And hopefully, not for long.

We know the purpose of practicing social distancing is to slow or stop the spread of the virus. And now the authorities have tightened the rules.

Parks are closed.

Playgrounds are no longer available to public.

Everyone is requested to stay indoors. Or wear a mask if going out to buy essentials.

For a couple of weeks this restriction seemed bearable. But now, as weeks have turned into a month, we begin to feel the impact of social distancing on our psychological well-being.

Depression.

Worry. Anxiety.

Loneliness.

As if the above list isn’t obvious enough, we’ve also heard about the rise of domestic violence. People get angry and lash out on their loved ones to project their frustration of this restriction.

This is why you should turn to writers or authors and learn from them.

We’re the experts in practicing social distancing. We ain’t a writer for nothing. We’ve self-isolated ourselves to write and finish editing the manuscript we’ve been puttering around with for months or even years. Some of us have turned reclusive or into a hermit for months, years and have completely disappeared from the social media to focus on crafting our plot of our new book. We’re shut-in. Become a hikikomori – a Japanese word for a person who’s in extreme degree of confinement or isolation. 

God forbid, we aren’t that bad to a point our isolation has turned into hikikomori—that’s too extreme. Usually when we’ve finished our manuscript, we’ll put our marketing hat on. Meaning—we have to connect with readers and network with fellow authors to peddle our latest creation.

So how do authors or writers stay sane while writing in isolation?

Tip 1: Start your day with a purpose. 

It’s imperative to have a plan on how to spend your time in isolation. As an author, I write down my plan for the next day the night before. My “to do” list includes writing 5,000 words per day. Sometimes, I reach my goal, sometimes, I don’t. Doesn’t matter. I’m happy to just have a list with a purpose!

What’s your interest? Do you have a hobby that you’ve been thinking of exploring but had no time to do so because you’re working full time? Now is the time—crafting, woodworking, journaling, investing, macro photography, cooking, coin collecting and plenty other options to start yours. With this new normal, you now have plenty of chances to do it. 

Dust off your planner and write down your plan for the day, for the week. Having a structure to face your day in forced self isolation is important to prevent yourself from mopping around the house without any purpose. This will only trigger negative thinking, and you don’t want that to happen.

Tip 2: Talk to a loved one about what bothers you. 

Don’t bottle up your worries all to yourself. Share them with someone who cares. If you live alone, join an online group that interests you. Remember, craving to talk to someone face to face is just not possible right now, and this is the option you need to do. You can find plenty of groups on Facebook or other social media platforms. 

Due to my strict rule while writing, I don’t venture on social media, but I bug my husband with endless series of plots and scenes for his feedback. I peruse writing forums to seek answers to my problems about plotting deep scenes.

Tip 3: Read books that promote positive thinking. 

Watching too much news about the pandemic only worsens you—psychologically. Avoid it, if you can. When I’m writing, I don’t watch tv except for the weather. I avoid peering out of my writing world. The reality distracts me from the perfect world of my story. Sometimes, reality hits and I can’t avoid it. Like what we’re facing right now. But I try my best anyway. I buy or borrow nonfiction books I’d been dying to read and spend the entire day reading. Often, reading adds a new perspective and eases my worries away. 

My guilty pleasure is to read romance novels—my escapism to the fantasy world where the tall, dark and handsome brooding man sweeps me off my feet. This is my jam. My husband doesn’t feel threatened and leaves me alone. Which I’m immensely thankful for his understanding. Writing is hard, let alone finishing a novel. Reading rejuvenates me.  

Tip 4: Do something with your hands.

It’s a perfect time to rake clean the garden, organize your craft room, or the entire house. Do something to occupy your time while you’re stuck in your house or apartment. Or write down what’s in your mind. I like to collect pine cones. Yes, those hemlock cones are my favorite. Now, I found out the other day, when I took a walk with my husband, a new species! They’re slightly larger than a hemlock cone but so delicate like a flower. I was ecstatic! Now I’m researching this species—another way to avoid writing my next romance novel.

Tip 5: Practice gratitude. 

Donate money or time, if you can. Thinking of others who need help can stop you from getting worried, anxious or depressed in and about this unfortunate situation. If this isn’t possible, you can write what motivates you each day, what helps you to stay positive while facing this pandemic crisis and why you should be thankful. 

I can’t afford to donate financially or my time to help others either, so I do what I know best—write things I’m grateful for. I’ve this interesting planner that tracks my goals, glasses of water I drank a day, and I can spend days beautifying the pages with cute stickers and motivational quotations. My husband sees it a time waster, I don’t. It’s a form of therapy.

I know social distancing is against our nature as human beings. To an author though, it’s an opportunity to be alone and to write. But, I hope these restrictions won’t last much longer because then, we couldn’t function as our lives are so disrupted by the pandemic.

Here’s hope we can face this difficult time without neglecting our mental health. Not getting sick psychologically is as important as not getting sick physically during this challenging time. If authors can do it, so can you.