Total Guide to Self Isolating for the Elderly

Taking inspiration from my wonderful daughter, Total Guide's founder Liz Hutchings, I have decided to write a blog for Total Guide readers from the perspective of a self-isolating 71 year old!

My mantra is to try and keep things as normal as possible and to embrace each days as it comes so below are some of the things I do

• Early morning cuppa
• Shower and get dressed
• Put on my make up. I know no one will see it but it makes me feel good
• Ditto a splash of perfume - never gone a day without it!
• Go about normal household chores and perhaps do some of those jobs I have been putting off
• Read some chapters of a book. Instead of stockpiling loo rolls I have been stocking up online on books and I suppose in a worse case scenario I could use the pages of the books I have read as an emergency supply LOL.
• Play an online game. I have been playing about 10 scrabble games a day for years with my brother Duncan in Canada and it is a great way to keep those brain cells ticking over and I am now playing with Liz as well
• Dig out the knitting needles and wool and make something for baby Hutchings
• Phone or skype someone. I speak with my best friend Fiona for about an hour every other day and we never run out of things to say
• Sing out loud even if it is just to yourself. I sang a lullaby to my beloved grandaughter Florence the other night and sent her to sleep. Mind you my voice is enough to send anyone into a slumber!
• Watch some great old TV. Porridge/Rising Damp/Friends/Frasier etc to make you smile.  I know Phoebe from Friends always brings a huge smile to my husband Roger`s face
• Surprise someone. My darling son Duncan and daughter in law Fatima surprised us this week with the gift of a Sony Mega Drive and a jigsaw so we will be getting started with Sonic the Hedgehog
• While it is allowed I am going to take a daily walk keeping my distance from others, not just for my safety but for theirs too
• When the weather improves getting into the garden and enjoying the flowers and birds
• Try and find something new and different to do, perhaps learn a new skill on line. I have offered my services to Total Guide for proof reading etc
• Keep up the Dunkirk spirit and keep smiling and being kind.