Nothing is lost, we’ve just been hibernating.

Are You Feeling Reluctant to Rejoin the World?

The end of another seventy-seven days of lockdown has some residents of the Yarra Valley leaping out of their homes with shouts of joy, but not everyone. For some of us, the end of lockdown might be a mixed blessing. After so long at home in our quiet bubbles, the phenomenon of cabin fever may have set in.

Do You Have Cabin Fever?

During the winter, it’s instinctive to slow down a little and go inward. This urge helps us to stay where it’s warm and dry, creating an innate sense of hibernation. The long lockdown in the Yarra Valley has deepened this sense of hibernation.

How are you feeling? Are you ready to come out yet? Or are you experiencing some of the feelings listed below? Some of the following signs of cabin fever are well known, but I’ve added a few to the list that have been gleaned from my own personal observation.

• General irritability
• Restlessness
• Difficulty waking up, getting to sleep, or staying asleep
• Decreased motivation
• Increased urge to nap
• Hopelessness
• Sadness and depression
• Lethargy
• Inability to maintain concentration
• Impatience
• Loss of interest in usual activities
• Loss of interest or motivation towards food
• Cravings for convenience food
• Boredom
• Difficulty focussing on others
• Feelings of self-doubt and distrust towards others
• Feelings of agoraphobia (fear of open spaces) and ‘germaphobia’

How To Get Back Out There

If, like me, you’re a little reluctant to enter the ‘new-normal,’ you might want to take it slowly. I started gently by meeting a friend for lunch at her home. I figured that transitioning from my home to someone else’s would be a softer pathway than plonking myself in the middle of a crowded café or pub. Baby steps!

Dr. Google suggests treating cabin fever with good general living practices like like yoga, meditation, hobbies, reading, good sleep routines, nutritious food and exercise. It’s great advice—if you’re still in lockdown. But I think that getting out of lockdown requires some more ambitious goals. Here are some other ways to generate some excitement towards the new normal:

Start at Home

You might find it easier to begin rejoining the world from your home base. Invite some friends over and get used to concentrating on others again. Plan a fun meal or go for a walk.

Visit Another Home

I chose to visit my friend’s home because I knew it would be quiet and drama free. Also it’s not far away. I’m still feeling inclined to stay close to home, because it’s what I’m used to. But I intend gradually widening the circle of my travels until I’m participating fully again.

Go Shopping

A bigger step is to think of something nice you want to buy for yourself, then go OUTSIDE the house to buy it. Although it has been reported in the media that many of us have been doing more online shopping, organising an in-real-life shopping trip can generate an instant reward for your ‘bravery.’

Grab a Meal

What food would you most like someone else to cook for you? Go out and find it. This is another way to create an in-built reward for making the effort to go out. Make sure it’s something amazing. Maccas isn’t a good enough reward for breaking the cabin fever. Set a decent budget, and spend it all!

Catch a Movie

Cinemas are still off limits, but you can go retro and catch a movie at the drive-in. This is actually on my bucket list, so it might be a good time to finally do it.

Support Local Business

The small business and hospitality sectors have struggled hard these past two years. We can all help a little by doing our Christmas shopping at small local retailers, and grabbing some lunch at cafes. Our latte might seem like a drop in the ocean, but many drops can build a powerful wave of abundance for struggling locals.

Join the Community

It’s a great time to join with other people at your local community house. Although programs have been on hold for much of the last two years, staff have continued to work actively to keep us all connected. Their events are a great way to transition from home life to worldly life, creating connection, stimulation and education. My lockdown would have been very boring if it hadn’t been for all of the amazing skills I’ve picked up over the years at community houses. Through the houses I’ve learnt to belly dance, read tarot, teach classes and more; so I’m incredibly grateful for their presence in my life for the past twenty-four years.

Stay Self-aware

Rest in between activities if it feels too much at first. You might try, one day-on—one day-off, as a way of gradually increasing your tolerance for crowds and noise. It’s ok to feel reluctant. Cabin fever is a real thing, but it will pass. Personally, when summer comes, I’ve no doubt I’ll be bolting out the door and to the beach.

Generate Hope

Lastly, well done us! For doing ok during stressful conditions. And if you’re one of the many people who don’t feel like they’ve done ok, at least it’s over for now. Right now, what my spirit needs most is hope. My plans have been on hold for so long that I started doubting my belief in them. But now I can see a glimmer of hope that my new normal will still contain the most important aspects of my old normal. Nothing is lost, just hibernating.

Enjoy finding yourself in the world, again.

Leanne Margaret © 2021

leannemargaret.com