Some will say that positivity and optimism is the only way to lure success and to endure any dire situation. But is it not important to recognise the lowest valleys of one's life or circumstance in order to appreciate its highest peaks?

In such a difficult time, it becomes increasingly difficult to grieve our previous lives without the guilt or concern of potentially offending another - who may have been left in a similar or worse state.  'My situation is so lucky in comparison to ..." we tell ourselves, 'be thankful' we say, but every single person, whether you are working from home, home-schooling, parenting - feel what you feel. Allow yourself to miss the little things, whilst looking for some fragments of beauty in our new lives of isolation. They may be simple, but there are many.

Jess Blanch

Editor in Chief

Three things I’m thankful for (during isolation) are … Him, for being so sure, Sloane singing like the world is watching, Baby Win’s triple chin.

Three things isolation has made me appreciate … That we have really made a home, And I don’t really mind not leaving it very often, But do really miss all my favourite meals at my restaurants with my friends, laughing and live music.

Isolation has made me realise … The world is a changed place.

One thing I look forward to every day is … Going offline.

I find … running a business in these conditions…very difficult.

When I’m feeling low I …remind myself where I come from.

I’m currently listening to … to the waiting music on the Government WorkSafe line.

On my list to make …nothing, not even the bed.

I’m currently …in debt to sleep by about 268 nights and counting.

I hope …we don’t all go back to how we were.

To stay sane I …read books to my children and drink wine.

The main takeaway I have from all of this is …BE THANKFUL.

Ellen Presbury

Market & Beauty Director

Three things I’m thankful for (during isolation) are … views, morning light, the internet.

Three things isolation has made me appreciate … my friends, bars and restaurants, long walks everyday.

Isolation has made me realise … that I need people around. That a walk makes me feel sane. There is nothing like the feeling of diving under a wave. That a wine with friends cures everything.

One thing I look forward to every day is … my morning coffee.

I find… not being able to spend copious amounts of time with people... very difficult.

When I’m feeling low I … breathe.

I’m currently listening to … PARTYNEXTDOOR’s new album.

On my list to make … socca bread, fried rice, pantry pasta. Cheap eats for the win.

I’m currently … obsessed with interior spaces, furniture, home decor, art.

I hope … this ends soon.

To stay sane I … go for a walk.

The main takeaway I have from all of this is … value does not equal output.

Gabriela Hidalgo

Senior Designer

Three things I’m thankful for (during isolation) are … Extra time in bed, morning walks, sunshine.

Three things isolation has made me appreciate … Working in an office amongst friends, technology, the outdoors.

Isolation has made me realise … how much of a rut our entire world has been in, for so long. We’ve been moving at a pace that is not sustainable or conducive to a healthy, happy and just world.

One thing I look forward to every day is … cooking every single meal and eating Al Fresco (or in bed).

I find it difficult to compartmentalise my day.

When I’m feeling low I … don't ignore it. Also, a hot shower is my equivalent of 'shutting down and re-starting' a computer after the the rainbow wheel has been spinning for too long. The perfect re-set.

I’m currently listening to … a confusing myriad of music to match my range of emotions and energy levels. Anything from Kendrick, Snoop, Ariana Grande (‘Be Alright’ will get you out of any funk) to Lauren Hill.

On my list to make …  Some more inventive uses of silken tofu. Also, scones (just waiting for the baking isles of every super market to be re-stocked).

I’m currently … using my spare time to knit for friends. You're all getting scarves.

I hope … that we don’t all act like this didn’t happen when it’s all over. I hope we come out of this better, more self aware, gracious and stand firm in this new pace of living.

To stay sane I … check in with myself and listen to my body. Do I need a walk, a plan of action, some nourishing food or a cry?

The main takeaway I have from all of this is … loneliness is 'not an absence of company, it’s an absence of connection'. I have never been more thankful and appreciative of technology for keeping connections alive and well during this time.  Imagine if this had happened in the year 2000 ...

Natalie Petrevski

Fashion Editor

Three things I’m thankful for (during isolation) are … Facetimes, the afternoon sun and all the wine.

Three things isolation has made me appreciate … embracing my friends, ocean swims at the beach (always appreciate this), and eating out at all the restaurants and bars I love.

Isolation has made me realise … I need to not take the little things for granted, I’m so incredibly lucky and life is filled with such beauty.

One thing I look forward to every day is … my socially distanced one hour walk outside.

I find not being surrounded by my favourite humans very difficult.

When I’m feeling low I… turn off my phone.

I’m currently listening to … my Discover Weekly playlist on Spotify. Pull Back the Bolt by Minimal Man stood out today.

On my list to make … many pasta varietals and something fun to bake and probably ruin.

I’m currently … trying this new app called Balance - aiding me for breathing, meditation, concentration and sleep.

I hope … we all come out better from this on the other side, I'd hate for life to go back to the way it was.

To stay sane I … go outside for a (socially distanced) walk.

The main takeaway I have from all of this is … misery loves company, oh the irony.

Mia Steiber

Digital Content Director

Three things I’m thankful for (during isolation) are … - my courtyard. I know how privileged I am to have an outdoor space with trees and plants. A space that I can sit and work in so I can get some sun! I’m thankful for my partner Luke. I’m such a social person, so I’m incredibly lucky to be in isolation with a companion. And I’m very thankful for Netflix.

Three things isolation has made me appreciate … my freedom and my ability to just go anywhere I want, at any time. You don’t realise how valuable a simple thing like that is until it’s gone. It’s also made me really appreciate my friends and colleagues - I have such lovely, positive people in my life. An on camera Zoom catch-up does wonders to brighten my day. I’m also so appreciative of my technology and the Internet. There are so many parts of the world that have such poor connectivity. We’re so lucky to have what we have.

Isolation has made me realise … how much I need social interaction to feel human.

One thing I look forward to every day is … my coffee. I love coffee.

I find … being disconnected from people. I’ve struggled with a lot of anxiety in the past and human connection is something that helps me keep darker thoughts away. It’s hard for me not being able to see my friends ... very difficult

When I’m feeling low I … get some sun. A little vitamin D hit makes me feel better. Also, and this sounds crazy, I just walk laps of my apartment. Anything to get your blood flowing can help perk me up.

I’m currently listening to … weird as it sounds, I’m not listening to anything. I tie music to emotions and events and I’m afraid if I listened to anything right now, it would forever be linked to this time in my mind. I know that’s strange, but that’s me.

On my list to make … healthy food. I’ve been wanting to try more plant-based recipes, and I now have a lot of free time on my hands.

I’m currently … trying to make it to my water intake goal, and writing my to do list for tomorrow. I bought some pink and purple pens so this no longer feels like a chore.

I hope … that society comes out of this with more compassion and more social awareness

To stay sane I … am midway through a Lord of the Rings marathon. I’m tuning in tonight to see how the battle for Helms Deep turns out - even though I’ve seen these movies 100 times.

The main takeaway I have from all of this is … never to forget how lucky and privileged we really are.

Megan Nolan

Digital Operations Manager

Three things I’m thankful for (during isolation) are …  The fact that I have a job which allows me to work from home, that my housemates also happen to be some of my favourite people in the world and that I’ve finally been able to test out the theory that I would be just as productive working with a movie playing in the background.

Three things isolation has made me appreciate … our medical professionals, the ability to travel and toilet paper.

Isolation has made me realise … how much I can achieve in a day when I don’t have to go anywhere.

One thing I look forward to every day is … a shower with the mid-morning sunlight streaming in (kinda makes me feel like I have an outdoor shower).

I find the uncertainty of everything right now very difficult.

When I’m feeling low I … blast some music and dance around my room for half an hour. At the moment my go to song is Is This How You Feel? by The Preatures. $12 sunflowers from the supermarket also work wonders.

I’m currently listening to … some old favourites. Seeing all of the live living room performances on Instagram has re-ignited the magic for me and I’m back on board with Glass Animals, Ball Park Music, Middle Kids and Meg Mac just to name a few.

On my list to make … more time for calling my family and friends. I moved from Melbourne to Sydney a few years ago now so this should be second nature but phones aren’t my favourite thing in the world. I’ve been relying on my monthly trips to Melbourne to catch up instead. With everyone feeling a lot more comfortable with video calls I’m hoping for an improvement now isolation is keeping me far away from them.

I’m currently … enjoying the lack of pressure to get out and do things. I actually really love being at home but usually FOMO gets the better of me.

I hope … that once this is all over we still appreciate the little things.

To stay sane I … have actually taken up daily workouts and mindfulness every afternoon. This is not my usual routine but I find both help a lot with mental wellbeing and I might even continue these once this is all over. Also having some sort of routine to my day makes me feel a little more normal.

The main takeaway I have from all of this is … to slow down and appreciate what it is that actually makes me happy. Is it the restaurant I’m at or the people I’m there with? Do I need to travel three hours on a train to “get away” or can I do this with a little mental adjustment from the confines of my bedroom? The only things that are truly irreplaceable for me are human touch and live music. I’ll be very much looking forward to these in approximately 3 - (hopefully) 6 months when all this is over.

Ella Jane

Production Coordinator

Three things I’m thankful for (during isolation) are … my partner, Lola, the health of my family so far, my job.

Three things isolation has made me appreciate … hugging and kissing my friends, the privilege of travel, the fact that I have a roof over my head.

Isolation has made me realise … I am deeply reliant on social interaction, how much I miss my family, and that the little things like waking up in a comfortable bed, fresh air, sunshine and human connection really count the most.

One thing I look forward to every day is … a piece of toast on the roof in the morning (I look forward to toast every day), and watching Greys Anatomy at night.

I find … not being able to go home to my parents or see my sister who is in London, and the uncertainty ahead… very difficult

When I’m feeling low I … sit in it, wallow, and then call a friend.

I’m currently listening to … So much Doja Cat

On my list to make … I’ve been cooking for a friend who is a doctor working in the COVID-19 wards in Sydney - so more meals for her are on my agenda.

I’m currently … thinking about laundry.

I hope … we can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

To stay sane I … turn off my phone and look at the sky, or take a keep cup full of wine on a socially distanced walk.

The main takeaway I have from all of this is … I am so lucky to have the privilege of working from home, to be able to wash my hands and wear gloves to the supermarket and keep myself indoors. I hope that many of us come out of this experience with a newfound appreciation for what we do have, rather than what we don’t. Also healthcare workers, truck drivers, teachers, carers, people who work in grocery stores and pharmacies, all rock. I hope we can all put these people first now and in the future.