GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Graaff-Reinet resident, Demi van der Rheede shares her lockdown experience and lessons with readers.

1. People go nuts

People hear the word pandemic and suddenly shops have no hand sanitizer left and we're all out of toilet paper. The first week of lockdown was intense because the shops were completely overcrowded. People were freaking out and buying things they've never even bought before, just in case they might need it. I bet you half of the things they purchased are still sitting on their shelves, whereas someone else could’ve used it.

2. Family time isn’t always the best time

Look, I love my family to bits. They’re great people and the first few weeks of lockdown was okay. We were coping, but now I’ve had enough. Either we’re arguing over who’s turn it is to cook Sunday lunch or we’re at each other’s throats just because there’s nothing else to do. Then again you can’t pick your family, right?

3. Keeping busy isn’t as easy

Did you have a list of things you'd do during lockdown too? Did you complete any of the tasks at hand? I sure didn't. I was determined not to lose my mind or utter the words 'I'm bored,' but in the end, my bed and laptop became my playground and series was my middle name. I wanted to tap into my creative side but it's easier to succumb to the will of being lazy than it is to do something. Then again…the only lockdown rules I heard about were the ones our president spoke about on TV. He didn’t say learn a new dance or read a new book. He just said stay indoors. Whatever you do with your time is up to you, as long as you stay safe and healthy.

4. There’s more junk in your room than you think

During isolation, I must have turned my room around more times than I could count on my hand, and it was fun to declutter. But man, oh man, the things I found. Let's just say it's not 2015 anymore and there was so much I'd been hoarding for no reason. Out with the old and in with the new! There's so much clutter in our lives and lockdown was the perfect time for me to figure that out.

5. Kids have a lot of energy

My nephew's name is Ezra and during the lockdown he turned three. Boy, is he a bundle of energy. I think I qualify as a professional hide and seeker now. But I can't blame him, he's feeling the lockdown too. He can't play outside the house and when he can he has to wear a mask – which doesn't stay on for very long. Plus, kids are meant to have lots of energy. They’re supposed to run around and be active. That's what being a kid is all about.

6. Friends are important

Something I’ve learned during this isolation is that you need friends. People to talk to and depend on when you’re feeling down. This is a difficult time for many people and we aren’t going to survive this alone. We aren’t Chuck Norris. We need to stick together and support one another as best we can. Even if it means a phone call each week or a daily text. Friends are important and having their encouragement and care does wonders for one’s soul, especially with all the uncertainty. We need friends. I cannot emphasize it enough. We’re already isolated, so don’t isolate yourself more by not reaching out to those closest to you. And if you know of someone struggling during this time, lend a helping hand. Kindness doesn’t cost a thing.

7. Is it just me or is it freezing?

It is so cold I can barely feel my toes at night! I wonder if it feels that way because we're so focused on the pandemic or if it's colder than it usually is? I know we have cold winters but either the temperatures have seriously dropped or I'm just losing my mind and this pandemic is getting to me. Though it’s cold, it’s the perfect time to snuggle up under your blankets, put your heaters on and watch a family movie. There are pros and cons but it all depends on how you look at it. It might be freezing but do what warms your heart and you’ll be fine.

8. Food is my friend 

I’m ashamed to say this but I have never in my life consumed as much food as I have in the past three months. And most of it being luxuries. Food was always my favourite thing ever! I mean, why wouldn't it be? It tastes good, it goes down well, it makes you feel good on the inside…but there needs to be a point where it stops, right? Foods not only become my friend it's become a fiend. Because I have nothing to do, I turn to eating and I can't stop. And in our house, we are always fully stocked in the sweets aisle. We could open our shop, that's how bad it is! I've been trying to be more disciplined but it's so difficult when a Rolo bar is staring you right in the face from behind all the ingredients that would make up a salad.

9. It’s okay to have a bad day

Isolation doesn’t exactly scream joy, so why are we pretending to be happy when we’re all secretly miserable? Yes, I know we're supposed to look at the glass half full and stay positive and something about a silver lining, but let's be real for a second. Bad days don't just stop because we're in our houses all day. Some of us are still going to cry, have breakdowns, or have petty fights over the phone. That's just how life works. And frankly, that's okay. You're allowed to have a bad day. I know I've had plenty. And I'm still going to have more of them because…such is life. The key is to allow yourself to have bad days. Allow yourself to work through whatever you’re feeling, because if it was bad before lockdown, it's probably a million times worse now. So, feel your feelings. Don't shove them down somewhere deep where you can't deal with them. Deal with them in the moment or when you can. But deal with them. Lockdown is hard enough as it is with all the restrictions and frustrations. Don't let your mental health deteriorate as well. Look after yourself. You are important and so is your mind.

10. This isn’t forever

Lockdown won’t last forever. That’s something I had to convince myself of before I could tell other people that. This is simply a season we have to go through. We can't stop it or put it on hold or wish it away. We just have to push through it and hope for the best. We also have to be grateful for lockdown in a way. Our president made a call to save many lives and we've been commended by other countries because of it. That's something we should be incredibly proud of. The point I'm trying to make is that this phase of life won't last forever. It's going to end and we'll be able to say we lived through a pandemic. It's also taught me the importance of one's life. We've lost so many people due to this pandemic and it’s heart-breaking. We should cherish our own and look after ourselves to the best of our ability. This will pass. And we'll be better for it.

'We bring you the latest Graaff-Reinet, Karoo news'