The best (free!) resources for isolation — The Wayward

Words: Sarah Tarca // @tarca

I came back from the USA two days ago. We were travelling for four months through Canada and the US and we (luckily, thankfully) were booked to come home on (what we later discovered) was to be the second-last flight that flew out of LAX > MEL for the next two-and-a-half months. Our isolation is of course, mandatory, but even if it wasn’t, and even after these 14 days, we’ll be practising self-distancing because we are not essential workers, and because we’re lucky enough to be able to work from our computers.

But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a shock to come home to this toilet paper drought, and be immediately ferried to a one-bedroom Air Bnb with a small balcony, and a handful of toys for my newly-walking and extremely inquisitve toddler. Yes, it will be hard. And it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, looking at the days and months stretching ahead with a big fat question mark over it. But it’s also been an amazing time for reflection.

Now, more than ever I’m spending more consciously, supporting small businesses almost exclusively (because they are the ones who need it the most) and really thinking about where our money goes. But, that’s also limiting when you can’t, you know, answer the door.

Which is why, it’s so incredible to see this beautiful, growing community of creatives sharing their services online for free. It’s a little firefly of hope, of togetherness, and a real, shining example that we’re all in this together – and not everyone is busy hoarding their pasta. Here are seven of our favourite free activites for the self-isolation and social-distancing period, however long that may last.

For inspiration:

The geniuses behind Brit + Co have always been good for a bit of creative inspiration (not to mention championing women all over the world), but now they’re taking it up a notch. Until the 31st of March all of their online classes are FREE with the code “SELFCARE”. You can learn anything from how to use Photoshop, to watercolour painting, hand lettering, cake decorating, or even how to take a good photo of your kids (which, let’s face it, you may be doing a lot of during this time).

For your body:

If, like us, your body (and mind) is craving regular yoga practice, and the connection to your yogic community, this may be the self-isolation answer. Every Tuesday and Thursday from March 24 at 4:30 (AEST) for three weeks, Yoga and Meditation teacher Leanne Raab in collaboration with one of our favourite teachers, Phoebe Jones from To Yoke will be live streaming 30 minute movement and meditation sessions via Zoom. As Phoebe says, these are designed as an intermission to your day (to complement your usual practice), to keep us connected, moving, and most importantly – breathing – so that the days are a little easier and the fear a little less consuming. You can join Tuesday’s class via the link here.

If you’re after a longer session Aro Ha, New Zealand’s incredible wellness retreat is offering a similar act of radical kindness and togetherness by sharing their yoga classes via their Facebook page. While we may be far from travelling there for a while, these classes (with that incredible view) will definitely be medicine for the soul.

FOR YOUR MIND:

If you mind is full of static right now, that’s completely understandable. It’s hard not to let the global panic creep into your head space. And while we may not be able to stop it, we can help to invite calm into our lives through these mindfulness practices.

Clinical psychologist and meditation teacher, Tara Brach has created the perfect antidote to the anxious energy of the world right now: a virtual, half-day at-home mindfulness retreat. It’s designed to help, reconnect, anchor and centre yourself amid the current chaos so that you can embody a spirit of grounded calm. If you don’t have a spare three hours, there’s also a whole bunch of other guided meditations and resources from Tara here.

Clinical Hypnotherapist (RTT) Rachel Crethar, has created a free calming and relaxation hypnosis for a little bit of comfort in the chaos. You can download it via her instagram.

And, one of our favourite modern witches (and artist, designer, writer, teacher and Tarot Reader) Sarah Faith Gottesdiener is offering free live guided meditations online. The first one is on Sunday (US time) and is for clearing and protecting… which sounds like the recipe for the soul we all need right now. You can find out more details by subscribing to her newsletter here.

FOR YOUR SOUL:

Conscious Life Coach, Astrologer, and Spiritual Healer, Ryan Clayton is offering a variety of healing workshops from astrology to breathwork, self empowerment tools, meditation, and movement throughout this period – with a new schedule of workshops every week. This week there’s everything from a new moon circle to eft tapping and journalling for stress, as well as guided discussions, meditation, and chanting to evoke our inner goddess. For this week’s offerings, or to sign up to a workshop, click here.

For the kids:

Alexis Teasdale is the crafting queen, the person you call when you’re planning a party (and have NFI how to decorate). She’s also the creator of The Festive Co and a mother of three, so she’s quite a bit busy. But she did find time to create these amazing activity sheets for your kids during this time (and, she’s going to keep them coming!). There’s backyard bingo, and both outdoor and indoor scavenger hunts to keep them from losing their minds. You can download them all via her site here and follow @thefestiveco for more updates.

Image courtesy of State Library of Victoria

Newly ordained home school teachers – and students – can delve deep into the online catalogues at the State Library of Victoria’s website which is very much open for business. Feeling under-qualified with your home schooling duties? The Ask a Librarian tool is a miracle for anyone tackling big school project or trying to remember where to begin with research.

And more for the kids (slash, for you), Queen of colour-pop homewares that fill everyone with joy, Rachel Castle, has also just uploaded some downloadable colouring-in sheets so you can DIY your own Rachel Castle art prints.

for storytime

One of our favourite authors/ illustrators, Oliver Jeffers (of How To Catch A Star, Here We Are, and The Day The Crayons Quit fame) has been doing a stay-at-home story time live on insta every weekday (2pm EST). Some are interactive, all full of joy (even more so because of the charming Irish accent), and are as much fun for the parents as they are the kids.

If you’re on Insta, follow the #operationstorytime hashtag for a whole bunch more celebrities and authors reading their favourite books. Absolute gold.

if you know of another amazing free resource for this (or any!) period, please share it with us and we’ll continue to update this page. You can drop sarah a line here.