#Microblog Monday 308: Rope Piece
Not sure what #MicroblogMondays is? Read the inaugural post which explains the idea and how you can participate too.
*******
In July 1983—37 years ago—two artists decided to live 24/7 8 feet apart, connected by a piece of rope at their waist. The only other rule of the project was that they couldn’t touch. 8 feet apart, never alone, and no touching the other person, though it’s clear from images that they touched other people during that time.
It’s interesting to read about the performance art piece now because while we’re not joined at the waist, I have spent over four months with the same three people. While we have the ability to leave one another, we tend to gravitate to the same rooms, sometimes all at the same time. So we’ll all end up on our bed, talking. Or sitting in the kitchen. Or playing with Linus in the living room.
I go through waves when I need alone time, and waves where I am completely fine with the fact that our world has become so small.
How are you doing?
*******
Are you also doing #MicroblogMondays? Add your link below. The list will be open until Tuesday morning. Link to the post itself, not your blog URL. (Don’t know what that means? Please read the three rules on this post to understand the difference between a permalink to a post and a blog’s main URL.) Only personal blogs can be added to the list. I will remove any posts that are connected to businesses or are sponsored post.
10 comments
8 feet apart? Hard nope for me! My mental health seems to hinge on two things: having some privacy/alone-time each day, and having a clean house, kitchen especially. Weird, I know. On the whole I’ve been able to carve out enough of both of those things to be ok. The tradeoff in stress increase from so much togetherness is nicely offset by the stress decrease from no commute, no worrying about getting ready for work, no packing of lunches, etc.
I’m pretty sure I’d be going stir-crazy by now. I guess it helps having connections via technology – at least you can all connect with others. Hang in there.
I’m currently doing ok. Telework reinstated for at least 3 weeks, my kids’ school will be distance learning only at least to Oct. Feeling safe in our bubble, for now.
I have good days and bad days. I realize that my family and I are fortunate: we have everything we need, we are all healthy, and my husband and I are both still employed full-time. These things alone are more than many of our fellow citizens can say.
On the negative side, I am tired of not being able to see friends (except occasionally from a 6+-foot distance), sad about all the canceled plans from the past few months, worried about how I am going to keep up with my sons’ schooling and my full-time job when they start back to school (100% online) on August 5, and concerned that I may get really sick (and poss. die) if I get this virus.
Not fun times.
Yes, good days & bad days. Some “me” time would definitely be nice…! We’ve made a few recent forays into the outside world lately (optometrist appointment, gelato shop, first bookstore visit in four months…!), and we’ve been over to BIL’s to see Great-Nephew a few times too (which perks up dh’s spirits immensely) — but we’re still staying pretty close to home (especially compared to a lot of others), and it’s been way too hot & humid lately to even get out for a walk. 🙁 I’m feeling a little down this week… today is my dad’s 81st birthday, and Wednesday will be my parents’ 60th wedding anniversary. And because of interprovincial travel restrictions and quarantine requirements, I can’t be there with them. My sister will be there with a cake, & a few of the neighbours will come over to have some, outside on the patio/lawn — so the day will at least be marked in some way with at least one daughter there, and we’re chipping in on a gift (some badly needed new tires for the car — I said 25 is silver, 50 is gold and 60 is rubber, lol). And my sister has promised there will be pictures. But it still sucks. 🙁
I don’t mind [so much] being around the same two people 24/7, but I do miss TREMENDOUSLY other spaces. I want to just explore all of outdoors, but there are other people EVERYWHERE and they don’t always respect the idea of social distancing.
I feel like every day or at least every week, there are shifts and adjustments that have to be made. I love being alone in the house when I work and I also like to be by myself with other things like exercise. I’ve found that stating my intentions makes it easier for everybody. Like I have certain times a day when I work and everyone knows I need to be by myself. Luckily my kids are old enough so they can be on their own while my husband and I are working in different rooms. thanks for asking!! Stay safe and well. xo
It was so nice the other day when the house was totally silent. Usually, there’s talking, yelling, screeching, music, noise. But it was just completely quiet. I can’t even remember if everyone was in the house or if they had gone off somewhere, but it was so peaceful. It’s not like I don’t get that at work every evening after my coworkers leave, but never at home.
I’ve quite loved this cosy family set-up. Last month when work was crazy I did crave my space, but I’m fine now. So far so good.
I guess families have gotten a chance to connect like never before and that’s a good thing.
I could never imagine being tied to a rope with some one for 37 long years! Woooah!
Yeah…we aren’t the gravitating kind. I mean, we’re fine in our home together, and sometimes in the same room together, but each of us also likes to have space and do our own thing at least part of the time.
We are doing OK here. The tethers are tuned well for the times.