Good Stuff for a Good(ish) Friday
While many of us are unable to do the good stuff we once did IRL at the moment, the digital world is vibrant and buzzing. I can learn a new dance routine at 10 am, tune into a webinar on ocean conservation at 12 pm and explore art galleries and museums from my living room. As much as technology is a saviour at the moment, I’ve found the longer this turbulent time continues, the more I seem to want to be offline, away from the noise, reading a book or drawing.
This month, I’ve aimed to fill the Good Stuff Guide with articles that cut through the clutter and explore ways of coping with and adapting to this strange new world. Plus, of course, a healthy dose of good stuff to read, listen, watch and do.
I hope you are staying safe, staying home and finding good stuff in any and all the weird and wonderful places you can at the moment.
Adapt
A handful of people who self-isolate on the reg, including a polar scientist and a monk, share their tips on how to get used to living indoors.
When this is all over, I'm not going to stop hugging my friends
Me either.
'Think about the best-case scenario': how to manage coronavirus anxiety
Coronavirus anxiety: Recognising the impact a pandemic can have on your mental health
These two articles run through some ways to cope with that feeling of panic many of us have gnawing away at us right now.
It's time to challenge everything, so what will we create from this savage lesson?
“We are learning new ways to live, to be, to think. Maybe that’s the gift as well as the challenge”
A letter to the UK from Italy: this is what we know about your future
Here in Australia, we might not be on the same level of lockdown as the UK and Italy, but many parts of author Francesca Melandri’s experiences resonated with me and other parts broke my heart. (And made me ask myself if I’m one of those annoying people talking about the renewal of the planet).
Coronavirus: ‘Nature is sending us a message’, says UN environment chief
Yep, I’m definitely one of those annoying people - but it looks like I’ve got company.
Billionaires, please back off – we can't all self-isolate on a giant yacht
“Instead of travel and fashion being the focus, influencers are switching to cooking and fitness. So instead of feeling inferior for not having scored that sunset selfie in Bali, we can all feel bad for not having the right yoga mat. How about that for personal growth?”
From the bushfires to coronavirus, our old ‘normal’ is gone forever. So what’s next?
We’re being faced with radical changes or ‘‘ruptures’. The social scientist Christian Lund describes ruptures as “open moments when opportunities and risks multiply… when new structural scaffolding is erected”. Basically, the time for redefining our relationship with each other and nature is now.
Where the wild things are: how nature might respond as coronavirus keeps humans indoors
As we begin to adapt to these turbulent times, so too, is nature.
Beyond overwhelm into refuge at times of uncertainty
Dumbo Feather have pulled together a care package full of good stuff to find solace in during these crazy times.
How To Work From Home and Stay Sane
As this global pandemic drastically changes how we all live, many of us are now calling our spare rooms, kitchen tables or any flat surface ‘the office’. It’s a strange new world out there and an unpredictable time for everyone. After running Grumpy Turtle for a couple of years now and often working alone from home I’ve learned what works for me and what doesn’t, and I hope these tips can help you too.
A Round-up of Advice, Lessons, and Inspiration from Creative Women
Insights and reflections from women who are driving the push for positive change in creative industries.
Why You Should Ignore All That Coronavirus-Inspired Productivity Pressure
This isn’t a creative retreat, it’s a global emergency. This article lists some step-by-step ways to adapt to work-life in isolation.
An instagram account sharing people’s real experiences of self-isolation.
Longer reads
This Instagram account will help you make sure you don’t waste time on shitty books!
The Overstory by Richard Powers
A lyrical book that will make you look at trees, and our relationship to them in a whole new light.
‘One Wild Ride’ is a podcast by business mentor Pru Chapman that explores a more meaningful existence. Pru has turned her podcast series into 120 pages of interviews with inspiring people and businesses, that you can download for free.
Listen
Something Less: an anti-anxiety special
Two hours of tunes to help you ‘calm down and find focus’.
TED Talks Daily: It's OK to feel overwhelmed. Here's what to do next | Elizabeth Gilbert
Best-selling author, Elizabeth Gilbert, speaks on staying present and trusting in your own strength.
You know those podcasts that make you feel like the hosts are your best friends? Yeah, that’s how I feel about Dolly Alderton and Pandora Skyes. They’ve been on hiatus for a few months, but have returned to discuss ‘lockdown life - what we're wearing; eating; meme-ing - and recommend a plethora of articles, books and podcasts.’
Watch
Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers
This article reminded me why Wallace and Gromit is a good antidote to scary times.
Staying #HappyAtHome with TikTok
I have a confession. I’m not on TikTok yet. BUT, their new ‘EduTok Thursday’ live series might just be enough to make me sign up for an account.
This movie will make you happy-sad-ugly-cry, all in once scene.
Do
The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron
I found this book at a book swap, rather serendipitously after reading this article. It’s a 12-week course designed to help you creatively unblock.
DIY fashion: designers' tips on what to make from home
Repetitive actions like sewing are therapeutic, so get crafty with these fun projects.
Folding, kneading, rolling: seven meditative dishes to cook when you need to zone out
I have some of my best ideas chopping vegetables and always find cooking a good way to focus on what’s happening right in front of me. These recipes may provide you with the same kind of relief.
Keep your old clothes out of landfill by sending them to us!
Used this time to go through your wardrobe? Manrags will pick the clothes up from you, give usable clothes to charity and recycle the rest.
Online Events with City of Sydney
From exhibitions to art classes, online Easter egg hunts and talks there’s so much good stuff to check out on this event hub.
4 pages of delish meat-free meals to cook over Easter.
Shake your groove thang
I did the ‘Feel Good Friday’ dance class through the Sydney Dance Co’s Virtual Studio and it was SO. MUCH. FUN! There were 200 people tuned in, dancing along to love-themed tunes.
No Lights No Lycra | We Dance In The Dark are also hosting online sessions if that’s more your jam.
Good stuff for the planet
Oceans can be restored to former glory within 30 years, say scientists
“Overfishing and climate change are tightening their grip, but there is hope in the science of restoration. One of the overarching messages of the review is, if you stop killing sea life and protect it, then it does come back. We can turn the oceans around and we know it makes sense economically, for human wellbeing and, of course, for the environment.” Prof Callum Roberts, University of York
We have time to turn things around for the big blue, but to do so, we’ve got to double our efforts.
To save these threatened seahorses, we built them 5-star underwater hotels
The scientists are constructing underwater ‘hotels’ to help White’s seahorses back from the brink of extinction.
Urban owls are losing their homes. So we're 3D printing them new ones
What do you get when you combine termite mounds, augmented reality and 3D printing? Homes for our feathered friends!
Scientists create mutant enzyme that recycles plastic bottles in hours
Reducing plastic is still key, but this new breakthrough could be a real part of the solution.
Rescuing the Great Barrier Reef: how much can be saved, and how can we do it?
In short; yes - but we’ve got a small window of time to do so.
Have some Good Stuff to share? Leave it in the comments.