Sir Isaac Newton, it has been said, regrammed and retweeted countless times in the past few weeks, did his best work while self-isolating to avoid the London plague of 1665. It is on his family farm in Cambridge where he discovered gravity while observing an apple falling from a tree; invented calculus; and analysed light beams with a glass prism.
I, meanwhile, am 15 'episodes' into the ultimate quarantine binge: watching all 23 Marvel movies in order of release, from Captain America: The First Avenger to Spider-Man: Far From Home.
Frankly, it's a miracle I've even washed my hair this week. I'm trying to stay fit and active, but this often is starkly at odds with the rich bounty of Caramello Koalas, Tim Tams, and home-baked bread currently infiltrating my pantry. I think it goes without saying I drink at least a glass of wine every day. Am I surviving? Yes. Am I productive? Questionable.
Everywhere I look on social media, however, I'm getting lots of the same message: Be like Isaac Newton. Write that novel. Learn a new language. Start that side-hustle. Cure cancer (or COVID-19, more like). If you don't, you've wasted this opportunity. But I'm going to guess Sir Isaac had fewer distractions and temptations. Would he have theorised his laws of motion if there were 12 seasons of Drag Race to catch up on? What if he had three kids under three? Doubtful.
It seems Sir Isaac's period of ingenuity has become the 'Good Vibes Only' of 2020. It's a destructive Instagram mantra, or 'hustle culture' that instills an overwhelming pressure to accomplish something, anything, while in quarantine. If you don't, it must mean you're lazy.
We must remember the concept of working from home is a privilege. Those on the frontline of this pandemic—the nurses, doctors, hospital cleaning staff—as well as food delivery people, pharmacists, the engineers who literally keep the lights on and water running, cannot work from home. Then, there are millions around the world that have lost their jobs entirely and are worried about not being able to pay rent or bills. This social pressure to always be achieving something blatantly ignores those who aren't in a position to do so.
These are extraordinary times indeed. There will probably be a flurry of creativity and advancement of thinking as people are left to their own devices and if you're feeling so inclined, more power to you. But it's also completely OK if you're not feeling inspired or motivated.
There's actually never been a better time to breathe, reflect and just exist for a bit. And if all you feel like doing is re-watching Gilmore Girls, and putting a bottle of wine in each room of your home and calling it a 'wine tour', you have my full support.
This piece was published on whimn.com.au on April 4, 2020.