Humans are social animals. So we are repeatedly told. As with most sweeping generalizations, however, the earlier statement isn’t really true. Do humans show a tendency toward preferring social groups? Certainly. There is also a sizable minority, known by many, usually derisive names; that do not easily fit into the standard “social” description.  It is these people who are likely to fare best in the current situation, in which self-isolation and social distancing have become the order of the day. They have been social distancing and in a state of self-isolation for years.

People who purposefully isolate, or at the very least don’t mind if they are isolated, include many of the estimated 700,000 individuals on the Autism spectrum. While every case is different one of the main features of most forms of Autism is a degree of social awkwardness. This usually stems from a difficulty reading social cues, even if such cues are understood. Which can easily lead to social gaffs when interacting with others. As such, many on the spectrum avoid social contact. There are also people who self-isolate because they are introverts, and prefer to keep their own company. These folks, when given a choice, would rather stay home and read, or go on-line, than go to a party on Friday night.

There is nothing wrong with willful self-isolation, particularly in terms of the on-line world.  A high percentage of modern internet technology was specifically designed to connect people. As the first half of the term “social media” indicates. It is easy to forget, with all the wi-bang hype and spectacle, but the internet was, originally, an extension of the telephone. The connection was made through a land line in something called “dial-up.” People were once skeptical of the telephone, certain that people would stop talking face-to-face. Just as with other predictions regarding new technology this forecast turned out to be dead wrong.

The primary advice, when it comes to avoiding COVID-19, where possible, is to work from home. This might sound like something weird, but people have done it for decades, even before the advent of wi-fi or, indeed, the internet. Getting assignments via the telephone and sending in work, either by fax or old-fashioned mail, has been used in many situations.

Working from home can be as productive as working in an office, if not more so. It cuts out much of the time wasted on commutes and pointless busy work because the manager is hovering. The real trick to working successfully from home is to stay on schedule. Just because you have the option to work in your pajamas does not mean it is a good idea to sleep until noon, or midnight, if you work the night-shift. If you are used to having a work schedule, it is a good idea to stick as close to it as you can while self-isolating. Such discipline will help avoid any frustration and upset that comes from going into self-isolation. Structure can be a good and very necessary thing.

The above also applies to those who did not commute to work, for whatever reason, before self-isolating and/or have children. You may not be able to do everything that you used to do if you are in self-isolation, but if you are social distancing with kids, it is important to keep them on routine. Make a schedule as close to the one they are used to, and where possible, especially if the kids are in school, try to incorporate learning into daily activities, particularly with younger kids. Cooking or baking can be fun, and good for learning.

If you find yourself in social-isolation without a job, or kids, there is something for you too! Why not use the time to do the things, within reason, that you haven’t had time to do? There might be more projects than you think. Sit down and write a list of things that need to be done; or that you want to get done and build a schedule around those tasks. Putting things like household repairs or de-scaling the bath tub at the top. Other items like learning guitar on-line, or finally getting a start on that novel you plan to write, a bit lower down on your list. Not only is prioritizing important, it will also help keep up your motivation. Self-isolation does not need to equal self-destruction, it will be very much what you make of it.