Each month I round up what I’m thinking about, reading, watching and loving right now…
As we enter month five of the COVID-19 pandemic hitting Australian shores, it’s hard to remember what life was like before lockdown and face masks, social distancing and hand sanitiser all became the norm.
My morning walk to the local coffee shop now involves crossing the street when I see a person walking towards me, which unfortunately has become second nature. While cuddling my friends’ kids is now a potential risk to my health – and theirs – and something that I don’t want to think about. It’s all so sad and depressing.
Life is hard for everyone. And with job losses and health struggles, it may seem like there’s not much to be happy about. However, I’m determined to celebrate the things I’m enjoying, while also acknowledging what I’m finding difficult.
In the recent words of New Zealand’s inspiring PM Jacinda Ardern: “This has been a hard year… so if it feels hard, that’s because it is. But let’s also remember, in a world where 2020 has frankly been terrible, we are strong, we have been kind and we are doing really well.”
Australia’s travel ban
I remember writing about Aussies being advised not to travel to China back in January, when none of us dreamed it would come to this. The ongoing personal heartache of not being allowed to leave the country to fly to see my family and friends in the UK, which we had planned to do this year, is taking its toll.
I miss them so much, and being banned from travelling overseas is confronting. I’ve never felt so far away. It all sounds so minor perhaps to those whose families are close by, but travel to the UK for me is more than just a holiday, and the emotional pain caused by the ban is real.
Coronavirus’ affect on mental health as a whole is now being acknowledged, and so much so, that in Victoria further support is being offered to help those suffering because of the pandemic.
Image credit: @David.Hall.Photography
(New) home life
We are making progress with the house. Buying our first home and moving during a pandemic was a challenge, to say the least! But we are growing accustomed to both of us working from home and settling into our new space. Thankfully, we have our sunroom transformed into a bright and airy office, which comfortably fits both our desks, so #WFH is actually a breeze.
Owning a home means constant DIY, I am discovering. This month, we’ve managed to get some less pretty jobs done – like finishing the insulation under the floor (it’s made such a difference to keeping the house warm through the winter), and fitting a new external door.
However, we also received delivery of our bedroom furniture from Life interiors, which has meant we’ve now fully unpacked everything in the bedroom. Now I just need to find some artwork and perhaps some sheer curtains to finish off the room…
I’m definitely excited for warmer weather in the next few months, which will give everything a lift.
Denim heaven
Damn, I hate buying jeans! The mega task of finding new denim is real. I always struggle as am never a true size, and I’m also a little on the short side, so have trouble getting jeans that fit me well.
However, I had a mini celebration last week when after a fair few hours spent trying on multiple pairs of jeans in David Jones (with my super-patient partner!), I came away with this perfect pair from Paige. Here’s to celebrating the small wins!
Feeling bookish
Thank heaven for Zadie Smith. I’m a huge fan of Zadie’s – even more so after seeing the celebrated British author in conversation with South African writer Sisonke Msimang at the Sydney Opera House last November.
I’ve just devoured her latest mini book of essays, Intimations, in which she writes about her experiences of lockdown in the first months of the pandemic. Loved this so much I’ve now read it twice.
Listen to Zadie talk about her book on the latest ep of Adam Buxton’s Podcast. Worth a listen.
This month I also added Women and Leadership by Julia Gillard and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to my bedside table stack, so I’m looking forward to diving in and discovering the stories, experiences and advice from some of our most extraordinary female leaders.
Nostalgic tunes
It’s a vibe. Poolside FM‘s digital radio station is getting me through chilly winter days, transporting me back to the heat of summer, cocktails by the pool and retro 80s-style tunes. It truly is the sunniest place on the internet.
Mapping it out
We recently visited Manly Art Gallery and Museum and spent a couple of hours perusing ancient maps and cartography in the Latitude: A Collection of Rare Maps exhibition. I’m a bit of a history nerd, and love old things so I was in my element getting my geek on and seeing how Sydney has developed and grown.
The collection includes rare 15th-century European maps, as well as maps depicting Australia and the Pacific, and some interesting maps with astrology references! The maps tell the changing story of map-making from woodblock printing in 1482 to the beginnings of topographical surveying in the late 20th-century.
It’s on until October, so plenty of time to pop by to see it. The Portraits Project and the Museum of the Beach exhibitions are also worth a look while you’re there.
What are you loving / loathing this month? Let me know in the comments below.
