I’m in the midst of a 14-day required self-isolation, after my hasty return to Australia. Since Covid-19 threw a huge curveball at 2020, let’s just say that it’s not the right time to be a nomadic, housesitting, event worker! Read how I’ve quickly changed plans, fortunately with decent emergency funds and options in place through the pursuit of financial independence.
I’m temporarily bunkered down at my parents’ house, regrouping from having work opportunities cancelled, my recent New Zealand life uprooted, and six-months of planned travel upended. On the positive side, I’m adjusting to this time for stillness and family, while looking forward to getting onto those things I said I’d do “some day”.
Read on for my daily updates, including the now infamous ‘Room Service By Mum’…
Missed one? Read my other posts on this theme:
- How Covid-19 Thwarted My Plans For 2020
- Diary of a SelFIsolator: Day 4-6
- Diary of a SelFIsolator: Day 7-9
- Diary of a SelFIsolator: Day 10-12
- Diary of a SelFIsolator: Day 13-14 & After
Day 1 – Sunday 22 March
- Ok, so I didn’t realise my family were going to be so conscientious about it, but we’re playing the game of “Contagious until proven otherwise”. NZ government self-isolation rules are more detailed than Australia, so we’re following those. I’m confined to my ol’ bedroom, popping out only for bathroom use (where surfaces are wiped down fastidiously after each visit).
- I currently feel a bit like a leper, to be honest… at least a well-fed one, with trays of food left by Mum outside my bedroom door.
- I’m happy to catch up on sleep after a tense work period in Auckland before I made the quick decision to leave while I could.
- I’m still thinking about yesterday’s Qantas flight back. The crew’s PA announcements were sombre; none of the usual: “We look forward to seeing you again when you next choose to fly.” More of a “Stay safe, self-isolate and look after your families” vibe. I overheard a flight attendant talking about getting a job at Woolies; another going back to work in daycare.
Daily questions
- What did I create or learn today? – Wrote this post for Nomad Numbers, who are doing a series on how life has changed for nomads in light of Covid-19. (See my original interview with Nomad Numbers from early March: “Semi-retirement at age 33 for better work-life balance“)
- What was I grateful for today? – Having this time to chill out, with a hearty dose of nostalgia from my childhood belongings in my room.
- What fun or beauty did I enjoy today? – Received a delivery of Australian native flowers from a friend to liven up my room.
- How did I move my body today? – Did some star jumps in my room to get the blood moving!
Content I enjoyed
Looking Beyond Financial Capital on the Path to Financial Independence – Rich and Resilient
Love Laura’s article about the 8 Forms of Capital, which highlights that there is far more to wealth than money. While we often fixate on financial capital, there are other forms of wealth that support positive lives, especially in current crises such as a global pandemic – such as social capital (relationships and goodwill), material capital (shelter, equipment) and experiential capital (hands-on knowledge).
Meme of the day
Day 2 – Monday 23 March
- Fortunately, my Auckland job is letting me complete the remainder of my contract remotely for the next month. However, trying to get the motivation to work in these circumstances is haaaaaaard…
- We’ve fashioned a standing desk riser from an old side-table, now sitting on top of my desk. I have a second screen to extend my laptop; add in some old textbooks for a monitor stand and I’m in business.
- “Room Service By Mum” dinner today featured a burrito and apple turnover for dessert, with a glass of South Australian shiraz on the side. Hey, this might not be so bad after all.
Daily questions
- What did I create or learn today? – Published another Australian FI Weekly enews, with financial independence links picked by a guest curator this week: Adventures with Poopsie. (Read their Responding to Covid-19 post.)
- What was I grateful for today? – Good home wifi access!
- What fun or beauty did I enjoy today? – Watched some short films from the cancelled SXSW festival this year. View them free here.
- How did I move my body today? – More star jumps and jogging on the spot. Not quite enough to say I’d exercised. Oops. If there’s ever a time for loafing, it’s now, yes?
Content I enjoyed
Podcast: Episode 88: Losing Your Financial Way and Finding It On El Camino – Earn & Invest podcast
Walking the El Camino trail in Spain is on my bucket list – and it seems this is a thread through some of the personal finance community. I had chatted to guest Diania Merriam about it at the Camp Mustache we’d both attended, so it was great to hear more of her story along with Bianca DiValerio whom I’d met at a CampFI too.
Meme of the day
Day 3 – Tuesday 24 March
- Embracing the work video call dress code. “Business on the trunk. Flannel on the junk” or “Business on the knocks, flannel on the box”, along with other such gems by blogger Dumpster Doggy. My New Zealand workmates are all going into lockdown so shifting quickly to work-from-home mode too.
- Today’s “Room Service By Mum” included some damn-tasty roast veggies, including pumpkin from the back garden. Nice to have a small garden here, most of which is produce that sprung up of its own accord in the compost and was replanted. It’s an eclectic mix indeed, but apparently an unexpectedly good move with others panic-buying seeds right now.
Daily questions
- What did I create or learn today? – Started The 5 Day VA free short course by Digital Nomad Kit, to skill up on my virtual assistant offerings for future remote work. I liked this article Hannah wrote on Selling Your VA Services Ethically During a Global Pandemic.
- What was I grateful for today? – The foresight to bring back Whittakers chocolate from New Zealand. Hokey pokey, bring it on.
- What fun or beauty did I enjoy today? – Today, I got into some nostalgia-gaming, finding the old 1988 platform game The New Zealand Story via a free emulator online. I’d played as a kid and it had been on my mind while in NZ. Think Super Mario Brothers, except you’re a kiwi bird trying to rescue your friends in levels including Rotorua, Auckland and Waitomo Caves. Fun! (For lots of free old games from Nintendo, Atari, Amiga, Sega etc, search Abandonwaregames.net or Gamesnostalgia.com).
- How did I move my body today? – Got started on a couple of free apps with 30 day challenges for squats and planks. Bring it on.
Content I enjoyed
A recession won’t end the FIRE movement, but it will change it for the better – Tanja Hester, Marketwatch
Some great points in here, especially about that it’s time to stop, “Talking about FIRE selfishly, as something that allows us to separate ourselves from the rest of society, rather than recognizing that we’re all interconnected and interdependent.”
Meme of the day
Stay tuned for more nonsense or follow me on Instagram or Twitter for live updates. What’ll Mum serve up next?
This was Day 1-3. Read other posts in the series below:
- How Covid-19 Thwarted My Plans For 2020
- Diary of a SelFIsolator: Day 4-6
- Diary of a SelFIsolator: Day 7-9
- Diary of a SelFIsolator: Day 10-12
- Diary of a SelFIsolator: Day 13-14 & After
3 comments
Loved this! What a good update. As you know, I’m a big fan of the room service by Mum! I’m very glad you have since made it out of isolation but I will miss her!
Thanks! Helped to keep me accountable to having some productivity and exercise along the way. I’ll be at the parents’ house for a couple more months until everything calms down, so I’d say there are still more cute meals from Mum to come! Glad you enjoyed it. I think she enjoyed her moment of social media fame too.
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