What's It Like? Part I
What’s It Like? is a new series exploring the effects of COVID-19 on the lives and wellbeing of people around the world. Hopefully by discussing how this global pandemic is affecting us all individually and collectively, we can help foster a small sense of hope and connectivity in these uncertain times.
We are currently presented with challenges in many forms, and how this might look to each of us can depend on circumstance, resources and even geographical location. These stories will help tell the human side of COVID.
Be well, stay safe and check in with your loved ones. Kia kaha everybody.
In part one we discuss some of the ways COVID-19 is challenging and changing the way New Zealanders live, think and feel about work, life and the things we’re grateful for. We spoke with friends and family including a teacher, a PhD student and a mother who gave birth just two weeks before lockdown began.
Sam, 28
Brooklyn, Wellington
Construction Detailer
Bubble of four
How are you coping with isolation? It took me a while but I’m getting used to it now.
How are you sleeping? Better, I can sleep in a bit because I’m commuting to the dining table now.
What’s something fun you’ve done in the past week? Playing Articulate, I always get way more competitive than I should.
Tell us something you’re looking forward to: I can’t wait to go back to the gym. I’ve always found it’s great for mental health and I’m worried about how long it will be until I can go back.
What’s the best thing you’ve cooked or eaten in the past week? Nigella Chocolate Cake, it’s my go to thing when I want to bake something.
What are you listening to currently? Circles by Mac Miller.
Share a recent book, podcast or movie you loved: The Planet Money podcast by NPR. I’ve been listening to it for a few years now and the episodes cover such a range of topics.
Simon, 58
Nelson
Electrical Inspector
Bubble of one (plus one, shared bubble)
What’s it like where you are? Peaceful, I wish it was quiet like this all the time.
How are you feeling? I’m great but a little bored.
How has your work been affected? I’ve been working from home since a week before the lockdown started. My work is classed as essential but I haven’t had a call out, our suppliers are open reduced hours so we have to work around that a bit.
What are you grateful for? Having a big garden to occupy my time. It must be worse for people living in apartments and not having an “outside” space.
Tell us something you’re looking forward to: Coffee from my favourite barista.
Work aside, what’s the biggest change to your daily life right now? Not having direct contact with people, it is lonely living like this.
What’s the best thing you’ve cooked or eaten in the past week? My partner made pizza the other night: chicken, brie, capsicum, onion and cranberry sauce.
What are you listening to currently? Icehouse by Flowers on vinyl.
Share a recent book, podcast or movie you loved: Just watched all the Bourne films over the weekend, now streaming Killing Eve for a second time.
“I wish it was quiet like this all the time.”
Adele, 25
Auckland
Secondary Teacher (Drama)
Bubble of four (myself, partner and two flatmates)
What’s it like where you are? In Auckland we have some of the larger clusters so that's concerning to think about. Our neighbourhood has a lot of families so there are teddy bears all over the place. There's definitely a feeling of restlessness, but we all know it will pass.
How are you coping with isolation? I initially went into a really dark place about it all, I started thinking it would never end and this was our new life. I've since come out of that mindset, and am really grateful for this time to rest and rethink my priorities in life.
What’s something fun you’ve done in the past week? Does playing Pokemon Go count? It's addictive and makes my daily walks even more fun.
How has your work been affected? We have to teach online, it's very difficult and so different to what we have trained for. Luckily there are so many of us around the world and we are globally pooling resources for teaching online, so I've felt quite supported.
What are you grateful for? The crunchy autumn leaves, the internet (omg imagine life without it), my friends and family, my health.
Work aside, what’s the biggest change to your daily life right now? I can no longer use "traffic" as an excuse to be late to work. I also have time to do Yoga in the mornings now!
What are you listening to currently? Going for uplifting songs where I can. I’m loving the Mustard Lovers playlist on Spotify that Dani (@themustardjumper) created.
Share a recent book, podcast or movie you loved: A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne. I've not quite finished it yet, but trust me it's good.
Rebecca, 25
Wellington
PhD Student
Bubble of four (myself, partner and two flatmates)
How are you feeling? Initially very overwhelmed, but I’m feeling better this week. I am starting to be able to concentrate on my work again.
How are you coping with isolation? Not going to lie, it's been rough. I just came back from the UK and was in isolation a week before lockdown commenced in NZ. It’s only after four weeks that I’m beginning to feel like myself again. I’ve watched a lot of TV, drunk too much wine and not exercised enough. But mainly I’ve been cooking all the recipes that I never have enough weekends for.
How has your work been affected? As a PhD student nearing the end of my PhD there is a lot I can do at home: writing data analysis, making diagrams and figures etc. However the combination of regular life stress and pandemic stress has culminated in me being very unproductive. I’m lucky to have two wonderful supervisors who have been incredibly supportive throughout this time and have had no expectations other than 'look after yourself and your bubble'. Unfortunately not all supervisors are like this and a lot of my peers are feeling the pressure.
What are you grateful for? My supervisors, my partner, my family and friends’ health, a fast-acting government that saved lives with their quick action and the internet.
Tell us something you’re looking forward to: Getting into the lab and finishing my experiments so that I can finish my PhD the way I want to. Sitting round a table at a bar with friends, being able to go home to see my grandparents, seeing my sister (she lives in Australia).
How are you sleeping? One of the reasons I exercise is to sleep better and as I said before I haven't been doing nearly enough, so pretty shit.
What’s the best thing you’ve cooked or eaten in the past week? 100% the slow cooked BBQ pork ribs I made (I have no idea when it was, maybe a couple of days ago...or maybe a month... time is a construct right?).
Share a recent book, podcast or movie you loved: I really enjoyed The English Game miniseries on Netflix.
“Initially [I felt] very overwhelmed, but I’m feeling better this week. I am starting to be able to concentrate on my work again.”
Irene
Founder of Prepair NZ
Bubble of four
My mahi is focused on helping young women disrupt the patterns of emotional abuse in their lives. Outside of that I’m a mama to two. I have my husband Pou, 20 month old daughter Everley and six week old son Harlem in my bubble. Thankfully we’ve got plenty of space in our home and yard to entertain our little ones and try and find a quiet space to work, catch our breath or settle one of the kids down for a nap.
How are you feeling? I’m feeling quite grateful. My son was born two weeks before lockdown which allowed his arrival to go to plan. My husband was due to return to work the week of lockdown, so my at-home support with two under two has been extended. It’s been so lovely watching his bond with our eldest strengthen during this time, and has also been a blessing for my mental health and wellbeing as a new mama to have him here.
How has your work been affected? My work is my ‘me time’. I look for spaces to do this everyday so I can fill my cup up and consequently be a good mum to my babies. I enjoy creating content that engages and educates young women about emotional abuse. Lockdown poses a lot of risk for anyone being isolated in an abusive home. I’ve actually increased the amount of content I normally deliver to encourage young women to seek help if/when it’s needed.
Work aside, what’s the biggest change to your daily life right now? To be honest we’ve never spent so much time together as a family until now.
Tell us something you’re looking forward to: Having a real coffee in a cafe after a walk with my baby for as long as I want. To write in my journal without interruption. I’m also looking forward to seeing my daughter reunite with my mum, I know they both miss each other. The same goes for daycare. I can’t wait to see her face light up when she gets to see her friends.
How are you sleeping? I sleep when I can—that’s life with a newborn!
What’s something fun you’ve done in the past week? We’ve been building lots of block towers, that’s been fun! I’ve also been recording podcast episodes while the kids nap.
What’s the best thing you’ve cooked or eaten in the past week? I made delicious cookies with oats, dark chocolate and cranberries. Yum!
Share a recent book, podcast or movie you loved: I watched Self Made on Netflix this week and loved it. A successful businesswoman who took a simple product, paired it with her big picture thinking and executed something great. Also, School of Prepair is a podcast where I share educational lessons about relationships, emotional abuse and self love.
Would you like to share your COVID-19 story with us? Send us an email to hello@counterjournal.co.nz or message us on Instagram @counterjournal, we’d love to hear from you.