
“Isolutions”

8 April 2020
City Church christchurch
We've created a new word! Isolution.
Definition: Solutions for isolation.

Isolutions are tips, ideas and fun activities for winning at home during the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown.
Below you'll find a complete list of isolutions, which we'll continue to update over the coming weeks. Like us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest, and don't forget to share with a friend.
List of isolutions.
(Scroll to location)
- Rethink normal
- Plan a Kiwi holiday after lockdown
- Make your own worship playlist
- Write your own psalm
- Share a video update on social media
- Read a new book
- Rest
- Call your parents
- Give a business you love a 5-star review
- Give your car a spruce
- Enjoy a nice hot bath
- Compete in a video game olympics
- Sort your budget
- Download a health app
- Binge "The Chosen"
- Ask a neighbour if there's anything you can do to help them
- Explore a famous attraction (360° virtual tour)
- Recipes. Yum!
- "Co-watch" a movie with friends
- Join a group video chat with 3 or more friends
- Do some exercise
- Learn a new skill
- Meet a life-sized lion in your living room
- Read the Bible
- Clean the house
- Go on a teddy bear hunt
- Message a friend to connect & encourage
27. Rethink normal.
"In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to." Dave Hollis
We've migrated from alert level 4 restrictions to 3. It's the first step towards regular life and a great opportunity to rethink normal.
What are you going to continue to do? What are you going to change? Are you committed?
Pray to God for guidance as you rethink normal.

26. Plan a Kiwi holiday after lockdown.
It's unlikely the boarders will be open for some time, so why not make the most of our local treasure and explore Aotearoa after lockdown.
Is there an area or city you've never been to before? Now's the time to start planning.

25. Make your own worship playlist.
Check out our Spotify playlist to help you get started.

24. Write your own psalm.
In your own words, write a prayer or a song of worship to God. Share your intimate thoughts and invite Him to be a part of the process.

23. Share a video update on social media.
Tell your friends what's happening in your bubble.

22. Read a new book.
Chill, fill a knowledge gap or start a new adventure.

21. Rest.
Maybe you're done resting and that's cool, but maybe you're so focused on getting out there that you're overlooking the precious gift of rest that's available to you right now.
Don't waste this opportunity to recharge and unwind.
When the world reactivates and regular 9 to 5 life settles in, you're probably going to wish for "lockdown rest" again.
It's ok to take a break. Make the most of it!

20. Call your parents.
When you start to say goodbye, that's how you know you're about halfway through the call.

19. Give a business you love a 5-star review.
Share the love!
Whether it's the unbeatable coffee, delicious soup or service with a smile, give a business or organisation you know a 5-star review on Google.

18. Give your car a spruce.
It may not be a Bentley, but it doesn't have to feel like a Reliant Regal (the three-wheeled lemon from Mr Bean).

17. Enjoy a nice hot bath.
You know you want to.

16. Compete in a video game olympics.
Prove you really are the champion of the world!

15. Sort your budget.
Take a bit of time to reaccess your budget and make adjustments where necessary.

14. Download a health app.
Dieting and keeping fit has never been more fun! Download an app to set goals and track your progress.

13. Binge “The Chosen”.
It's the first-ever-multi-season TV show about the life of Jesus! Watch it on YouTube.

12. Ask a neighbour if there's anything you can do to help them.
Sometimes it's easy to become inward-focused, but there's a whole world of opportunity to help and encourage others from home. Whether it's your neighbour, work colleague or friend, why not stop and ask if there's anything you can do to lend a hand. A friendly smile, and even prayer, could mean the world to someone you know.

11. Explore a famous attraction (360° virtual tour).
From home, you can visit...
- The Louvre
- Sistine Chapel
- Van Gogh Museum
- The Great Wall of China
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
- Yellowstone National Park
- San Diego Zoo
There are many more. Click here for links.

10. Recipes. Yum!
Treat yourself to a delicious dinner or dessert! Maybe you have an old recipe, or maybe you're in the mood for something new. Give it a try!
Bonus points for sharing your recipe with a friend or neighbour.

9. “Co-watch” a movie with friends.
Binge together apart with co-watching apps (i.e. Netflix Party) which synchronise video with group chat.

8. Join a group video chat with 3 or more friends.
Who had heard of Zoom and Houseparty prior to COVID-19? Now everyone is talking about them and through them.
Join the fun and connect with your friends on group video chat.

7. Do some exercise.
Get a jump on your day with some healthy activities to keep in shape, stay fit and revitalise the mind.

6. Learn a new skill.
Thanks to the internet, there's a plethora of information available to help you learn and master a new skill. YouTube is a great place to start.
Need ideas?
You can learn how to draw, DIY home repairs, a new language, a musical instrument, photography, gardening, cooking, baking, self-defense, sewing, CPR, creative writing and more.

5. Meet a life-sized lion in your living room.
Here's how...
- Grab your mobile.
- Search "lion" on Google.
- Select the "View in 3D" button (just below the images and Wikipedia description).
Other animals you can meet include, an alligator, angler fish, cheetah, eagle, horse, octopus, panda, shark, snake, tiger, wolf, and more.

4. Read the Bible.
Reading the Bible each day can change the rest of your days. Start a reading plan or study a book you've never read before.

3. Clean the house.
Seriously, it's time.

2. Go on a teddy bear hunt.
Since the COVID-19 lockdown commenced, people have been placing teddy bears in their front windows (visible from the road) to entertain families as they walk around the neighbourhood.
How many teddies can you see?

1. Message a friend to connect & encourage.
The wonders of technology! Let's use it to stay connected regardless of the physical distance.

Bonus Isolutions: City Kids Edition
Brought to you by City Kids, compete in a range of fun games for the whole family at home.
Loneliness
Since the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the world has familiarised itself with terms such as "social distancing", "lockdown" and "self-isolating". It's given new meaning to the phrase "stay at home", and with it a widespread realisation and understanding of loneliness.
Being separated from others is difficult and while society at large has tasted its bitterness during the pandemic, the reality of loneliness will persist for many well beyond the lockdown.
Why not reach out and connect with a colleague, neighbour or family member who might be struggling with loneliness? It could mean the world to them.
Are you feeling lonely? You're not alone.
Apply these isolutions and join us on Sunday for church if you're in the Christchurch area (after the lockdown). Don't miss our article, Top 10 tips for making new friends in Christchurch, for practical ideas and methods to broaden your social network.