What are some of the things keeping you guys occupied during Isolation?

 

Tiki - I’m producing a lot of music working on my projects. Doing a lot of experimentation, not overthinking, having fun with making music

 

Kate - I’ve been working on my novel since September, so i now have a lot of time to focus on that right now. 

I’ve also been doing alot of reading and delving a little deeper into Buddhist philosophy. Taking time to mediate - that’s really important right now.

 

"Quietening my mind, letting go, being present. I’m trying to really take this time to work on myself heal and come out of this with just more personal growth"

 

The main thing keeping each other occupied though, and healthy, is having each other. Our families are all over the world

"It’s an uncertain time, but we have this net of safety within one another that keeps us grounded, keeps us going." 

 

In what ways has the lockdown affected your relationship?

 

Tiki - Kate is usually quite busy. She has this extremely full schedule, while I had a lot of free time. So we now have alot mutual free time. I think we get to have truly let go, have fun, instead of plotting time.

 

"We’ve been redefining quality time. How can we have a great time, how can we make the most of it."

 

Because we can’t go out, we can’t go to the theatre etc. 

Kate - We’ve consciously been focusing on just really being in the moment. Like cooking together.

 

 "Mindfully investing in the little things. Being present." 

 

Tiki - Yeah I’ve got so much healthier, learning alot from Kate.  I can’t go down the street get take out, or order a pizza for example. Been cooking so much from home and I’m really enjoying that. Enjoying discovering that part of myself too. 

 

Have you found yourselves being creative unlike before? 

 

Tiki -  I feel that i’m forcing myself to become a bit more disciplined. I feel I’ve really learnt that from being with Kate. Practicing not to overthink, sitting down, actively working on my music.

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"In a way that drive to be more focused and productive in a time where things could be all over the place - is getting me to be more creative."

 

Kate - I’m definitely forcing myself to have a schedule and a rhythm. I really need that when working on a novel. I’ve also become more aware of what I’m consuming. I mean that in all aspects, internet, social media, food etc.

 

"I’ve become more intentional how I fill all this time and what I fill my mind with. I’m being actively more in control of - what can I consume that will nurture me, my being - That’s made me more creative because I’m now more driven towards my projects. The things that fuel me, that I love, are being nurtured."

 

What’s been your least favourite thing about isolation 

 

Tiki - I definitely think the division. In the sense how many people don’t want to believe Isolating is important. There are so many protests right now because people want to have their hair cut. Stuff like that. Witnessing it is sort of shocking and unsettling.

 

"I understand fear can make people do ridiculous things, but at the same time the self preservation manifesting in that way has been an ugly thing to see."

 

Walking into the store and seeing tons of used masks and gloves discarded in the streets has also confused me the lack of common sense in a way or extra thought for the other. 

 

It’s also been really sad to see how unprepared the American medical system is for this.

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"Watching the different state governors arrogance and egos getting in the way of people’s safety."

 

The people in authority right now, in time like this, being someone powerless in the the middle of that has honestly been a frightening experience.

 

Kate - Yeah the division and also the disconnection between people. I am usually around people everyday. I go to yoga studio every day, thats my family. I miss that energy, I miss my writers community. Getting together, talking, sharing moments, making new memories with people. 

 

"Also experiencing my own self preservation has been really unsettling." 

 

I was previously living in a big house and a new person moved in who still had to go to work at a grocery store. She had to stop seeing her family because she was a high risk worker. But I was living with her and still seeing her everyday, so I feared for the first time also about my safety. It was scary, being scared. It felt weird being selfish you know, like being worried about being around her, washing my hands, disinfecting things. I hated that. 

 

"When your scared to touch and be touched that really dehumanises other humans. I think about that alot these days. Avoiding people you see in the street, walking around each other. The complete disregard for the other individual." 

 

Whats been some of your favourite things?

 

Tiki - The fact we are all kind of forced right now to work on ourselves.

 

"Theres not much else to do at some point other than delve internally and while that can be frightening to alot of people. I think it’s necessary to collectively evolve as a planet and a human race." 

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When else would we really have time to do that. What better time, not for everyone singularly, but for us all as a whole, than this time were we are all sharing this experience albeit in different ways. I’m taking this time to really open myself up. I’ve also been able to reconnect with friends abroad. And it’s actual connecting. We are all in the same boat. You can’t just say hey what 'sup what you doing, because it’s more or less ‘nothing’ but you can ask how are you doing. How are you really doing.  

 

"All you have to talk about is the deep stuff, and have more genuine conversation and connection." 

 

Otherwise this isn’t too different from my usual relaxed schedule, I have a close knit group,  i work on my music. But I’m really enjoying my time with Kate and all the time we get to have together. 

 

Kate -  Yeah I totally agree with Tiki.

 

"Being more present and self reflective and the opportunity even gift to do that." 

 

I’ve also been learning alot from him. One of the cool things to come out of this is I’m learning some music techniques from him and applying it to one of my projects where I record my poetry and post in online. So integrating what I’m learning from him and trying new things. I’m loving this time I get to spend with him, being creative together, messing around and enjoying each others company.