15 (Personalized) Mostly Sincere Things To Do and Be During Social Distancing

Preface: I can't say any of these things actually will make you feel better, but some of them worked for me. I can't say they're entirely appropriate or safe (or even very nice). What I can say is, this is the time to let our strange, resilient creativity shine. So, colored very much by my own biases, experiences, and love for you, here is my list of 15 Mostly Sincere Things to Do and Be During Social Distancing.

1. When you are paralyzed by fear, the natural inclination is to numb, to physically and mentally stay in one place, to collapse into your gut and chest, to think that this controls you, that it is you. It isn't, and the deepest part of you knows it even now. Do a little learning about awareness, to ground you in how to recognize this will pass (on its own timeline, not yours, gosh darnit). And then, make your own list, or use mine. "Practice resurrection." -Wendell Berry
2. Walk around your neighborhood, look people in the eye, and say hi. If you genuinely want to know, also ask "How are you?" (Stay six feet away...this is the US...it's perfectly normal to do so, unfortunately...and wash your hands when you come back)
3. Speaking of going "outside," break your cultural bubble. Contact friends from international travel and living. Dig through your basement for books you haven't touched in awhile--pictures books with castles, mummies, cliffs--anything sublime or eternal, anything that reminds you what a blip in the cosmos you are (no offense--you're also beautiful and immeasurably important). Listen to music you don't understand.
4. If you're like me, come from a relatively privileged background, and have lived/worked outside that bubble, it's tempting to fall into the age-old, "But others have it so much worse than I, and I should be doing more" trap. Name what you can do, consider whether you can push those boundaries open a bit, and do those things. But also, name that it will never be enough. Then, go eat something tasty from your pantry.
5. Try to distract your neighbors' dogs when they go outside by making slightly nebulous high-pitched noises. There's also cat that always hangs out on the fence for hours at a time and doesn't move. Make a fool of yourself trying to get her attention. What's her problem anyway?
6. You know what? Make a fool of yourself, period. BE! RIDICULOUS! Sit on chairs differently. Break into jumping jacks. Practice noises and funny faces in the mirror. Wear your silliest, loudest shirt when you do go outside. Maybe also pajama bottoms, or a tuxedo. (If you live in Portland like me, no one will notice anyway)
7. Regardless of your religious/spiritual beliefs, tune in to a digital sermon or talk by a faith leader. Even if you think they are loons, they study and train to be able to be exactly what we need at times like this. And, just maybe, they know something.
8. Text people you've been hesitant to make contact with and let them know you're thinking about them and their well-being. Use a meme if necessary. Don't expect a reply.
9. Hang signs outside your window like the Italians, or break into song with your window open.
https://www.citynews1130.com/2020/03/15/italians-cooped-up-virus-cope-creativity/
10. Throw very small rocks at your neighbor's window until they genuinely think they made up the noise. (Eventually, admit it was you, and start a conversation.)
11. Explore new kinds of touch. Secret handshakes, longer and more awkward hugs. If that's not in the cards, stroke your own face. Like tracing the roundness of a newborn. Notice grooves, softness, hardness. Notice and name things so intently that your thoughts dissolve for a minute.
12. Obsessively chase the insects around your house with newspaper or a fly swatter. If you're a Buddhist, stop there.
13. For advice and composure, look to the people whom society has let fall through the cracks. They've done this before, like all the time. Follow their lead. Skype grandparents, because, let's face it, "Your grandparents were called to war. You're called to sit on your couch. You can do this."
14. "When words fail, music speaks." "The body is the antidote for the mind." "Manual labor is the cure for all lofty quarreling." "Get up offa that thing and dance til you feel better."
15. Do what you need to do to remember you're not alone. you're not alone. you're never alone. you never have been. you never will be.