Sorry I Cant Hang Out Tonight I’m Busy Developing Agoraphobia :(

unfortunately I have decided to get back on this damn app again

it’s not a math test until you start crying

get fucked transphobes i have a set of nipples society says i should wear a bra over and a set of nipples society says i shouldn’t wear a bra over so what gender am i???

you say you love me but you wouldn’t build me a minecraft house

Tips for Surviving and Thriving from someone who has been self-isolating for 1+ years (while living alone)

As someone who has been doing this for over a year due to chronic illness and mobility issues, and as someone with a biology background and took classes in microbiology and ecology, I hope you’ll find this advice helpful.

1) Your Biggest Enemies are Boredom and Loneliness.

No surprise there. Finding a hobby at home, whether it’s drawing, writing, cooking, crocheting, baking, whatever, it’ll become the bulk of what you do during the day and is the most essential thing to distracting you and warding off the boredom.

Finding an online community is more important now than ever. With apps like Discord where you can talk to people for free, it’s going to go a long way to giving you the social interaction that will keep you engaged.

2) Let Yourself Relax

You don’t need to be doing something productive every moment, so don’t guilt-trip yourself. Reading, rewatching your favorite shows, finally getting to new ones you haven’t seen yet, playing video games (a great way to lose large chunks of time effortlessly), and watching Youtube series/playthroughs.

3) Don’t Hoard (but do stock up on your prescriptions)

This is my biggest concern right now, even more than food and toilet paper. Many of us can’t go without our medications, and making sure your refills are up to date and you fill your prescriptions at least a week before you need them is important. Some pharmacies are allowing you to stock up on your prescriptions for two months. Mine isn’t. So be prepared for that.

Of course, if you’re chronically ill, elderly, disabled, etc., I’m never going to tell you to NOT stock up on supplies and food. You’re the most vulnerable in the community, and if you can afford it, you should have first priority to supplies. Able-bodied and healthy people are the ones I’m shaming right now.

4) Wear a Mask Outside

Even if you’re healthy. Even if you’re asymptomatic. Perhaps especially if you’re not showing any symptoms and you’re young, because that demographic seems to be the biggest vector.

It’s embarrassing, I know, because I’ve been wearing masks outside for years. But the 6 feet distance isn’t enough. Studies are now showing the coronavirus can remain in the air in an enclosed space for up to 3 hours. So get used to wearing a mask in public, because that’s what it might take.

Social stigma around mask-wearing needs to end, immediately. Finding a mask right now might be hard, so use anything you can to cover your mouth, even a scarf or cloth mask. Just be sure to wash it thoroughly when you get home. It’s not sterile, and it definitely won’t keep out viral particles forever, but it’s at least a barrier between you and the outside world (if you keep it clean and don’t share it with anyone else).

At this point, assume you and everyone around you is a carrier, and act accordingly.

5) Limit Your Daily News Intake

It can be both a comfortable habit and anxiety-inducing. Personally, I downloaded the DemocracyNow app and watch the hour long show once a day. I also listen to the podcast “Coronavus Daily Briefing” which gives you a 15 minute daily briefing of everything you need to know. Both sources are about as trusted as you can get, taking this pandemic seriously, and basing their content on science and compassion.

6) Stay In Touch with Friends and Family

This might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s even easier to fall out of contact with people while you’re isolated. Text, call, FaceTime, do whatever you have to do to stay in touch with loved ones. You’re going to need that constant reminder that you’re not alone. Millions of people are in your exact same situation, and that’s a good thing. At the end of the day, remember that this isolation will save lives. Maybe even your own.

7) Download the free Libby and OverDrive Apps

If you have a library card, you can download audiobooks and ebooks for free. If you don’t have a library card, see if you can contact your local library to get one without having to physically go to the building. Virtual libraries during this time are also extremely important.

8) Vitamins D3, B12, and Iron (for people menstruating)

If you’re unable to get strong sunlight directly on your skin at least 10 minutes a day, you need to vitamin D3. Many of us are already deficient and have no idea. Since it’s still winter/spring, most of us aren’t getting enough sunlight, and should be taking D3 regardless.

Most people believe B12 come from animal products. This is untrue. B12 is synthesized from soil bacteria. Due to change in agricultural tactics, we no longer ingest this vitamin directly from the soil. It has to be supplemented, either directly, or through vitamin shots given to farmed animals. Many people are deficient in B12 if not supplementing, and during a time of high stress, considering buying this vitamin as well. Relying on animal products for complete nutrition, especially during a crisis and temporary supply shortages, isn’t going to work.

If you’re like me and get anemic during menstruation, taking iron is important. Most of us can get enough iron from food, but a lot of us need extra help. Be careful to follow the instructions, because unlike B12 and D3, you can easily overdose on iron.

As always, please talk to your doctor if you have medical conditions, but these vitamins are generally well-tolerated (if used carefully), and not all of us can safely go to the doctor for a blood panel right now.

What I take: D3, B12, Iron

9) Many Grocery Stores Have Delivery Options Available

This was my go-to option before. Now that the demand is so high, it will take a few extra days for delivery, and there will probably be a limit on items. So order when you’re still good on food. Don’t let your pantry and fridge go empty if you can afford it.

Don’t forget to include pet food in your grocery delivery. Grocery store brands are usually lower quality than at the pet store, but you may not be able to go to Petsmart or Petco or your local pet supply store for a while.

10) Eat Vegan (you’re probably doing it already)

You’ve probably noticed how all the rice, beans, pasta, bread, and plant-based milks are disappearing off the shelves. That’s because they’re cheap, nutritious, and keep the longest.

Canned and frozen vegetables and fruits: a staple some people forget about, but is very important right now, especially when fresh vegetables and fruit aren’t an option (any food that has been exposed to the open air and not sealed are foods I would avoid at this time).

Pasta and marinara sauce: Love it. A classic. Spice it up with your favorite seasoning (I love canned chickpeas, canned capers and canned diced tomatoes)

PB&J: Overlooked and underrated. Another vegan classic that’ll feed you for ages. (Other nut butters are available if you’re allergic)

Toast: Vegan butter, jam, vegemite, whatever you have in the pantry, slap it on some bread.

The fact of the matter is, this will not be the last zoonotic pandemic we’ll have because of animal agriculture. Governments and experts have always known this was a possibility. In the future after this crisis, it’ll be more important than ever to move away from mass animal farms and slaughterhouses, to plant-based foods and compassionate practices.

Cheap Vegan Essentials (!!!)

11) I Don’t Know How to Cook for Shit

I know how to boil water, stick things in the oven, and microwave. It’s not fancy, and it is embarrassing, but I don’t have the energy or interest in spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Luckily, if you don’t know how to cook at this point, you’re going to survive just fine, especially if you’re eating plant-based foods.

12) Invest in a Pair of Barber Scissors (and maybe some hair ties)

Good news, you can cut your hair pretty easily from home! Barber scissors (you should be able to order them online, I doubt they’re in high demand), even a good pair, shouldn’t cost more than $15. You need these scissors, as regular ones won’t do the job.

Then go on Youtube and learn how to cut your hair. Most videos are short and simple. I have very long hair and have given myself $75 haircuts from home. And I’m usually terrible at that kind of thing.

13) Don’t Take Naps (if you can avoid it)

Chances are, your sleep schedule is going to be out of whack for a while. That’s normal. Making sure you have a routine and avoiding naps if possible is important. If you do have to nap, try to limit it to a small cat nap of 20 minutes or so. A quick snooze often makes me feel more alert than passing out for 2+ hours, and it’ll help not throw off your sleep schedule.

14) Self-Care is Key

It really is. Getting up the same time every day, getting dressed, doing stretches (if possible) and remembering to clean yourself daily are all important for your mental wellbeing.

If you’re chronically ill like me, showering daily can be impossible. Dry shampoo can be a great solution to keep your hair free of grease and oil buildup, and help you feel better as a result.

15) Stay Home!

Cancel all your appointments. Routine doctor visits, dentist, hair appointments, all of it. Unless you absolutely need to leave (groceries, work, emergencies), stay home. The less you go out, the less you risk yourself and others to exposure. It’s that simple.

*If you have an ongoing medical condition and your doctor thinks the risk of going to appointments and undergoing procedures is worth it, obviously listen to them. I mean routine care as in yearly checkups and such. I’m personally having to struggle with this dilemma as I have many ongoing chronic conditions that need testing and observation, and sometimes staying home isn’t an option, especially when this crisis is going to last for months.

16) Prepare for a Marathon, Not a Sprint

From projected numbers and what we know about epidemiology, this will be an ongoing issue for at least the next year, until a vaccine is made widely available and is effective and safe. Self-care, healthy routines, and solidarity are going to be overlooked in the coming months, but I promise they’re going to be instrumental to us getting through this.

I can’t say what life will look like a year from now, but I hope my own experiences with chronic illness and isolation are helpful. As always, my asks are open if you need someone to talk to.

i don’t double tie my shoes because i think it looks good, i double tie my shoes because the extra tightness makes it feel like my feet are being hugged and god dammit i really need a hug :(

micheal doesn’t make it to the bathroom

i put the BI in BISEXUAL because i’m TIRED and now going to LEAVE

why do some people say “Omg that’s so funny!!” instead of just laughing? who hurt you

if we were minecraft youtubers, do you think people would write slutty fanfiction about us?