If you’re a foreigner living in Afghanistan, being on lockdown isn’t wholly unusual. In fact, it’s often scheduled in. Big political rally happening? Stay at home. Elections? No-one is leaving their compounds. At other times, it comes out of the blue, when violence erupts unexpectedly and being an expat on the street is just asking for trouble.

I spent 12 months living in Afghanistan, and I saw just how seriously BMS World Mission’s partner in the country takes the security of its whole team. As an extrovert adapting to a new life with many more restrictions, I learnt a lot from my teammates who are adept at living through times of lockdown. I thought you might like to learn from them too, so I got back in touch and asked them for their advice for you.

BMS worker Rose* has years of experience living through lockdowns – though up until now they’d all been in Afghanistan, rather than England. This is the first time she has had such a plethora of ways to keep in touch and internet resources at her fingertips. “I used to spend lockdowns carefully conserving phone or hand-held radio battery power because of limited electricity, which meant keeping communication short and essential!” says Rose.

With fewer distractions in previous lockdowns, prioritising time with God may have been easier for Rose than it is for us. But that’s still her top tip. “Use the down-time and peace (assuming that is possible) to really seek God and spend time with him,” she says. “That’s a good investment, though it takes self-discipline.”

New to structured prayer times? Why not start with the BMS Prayer Guide?

Development expert Tim* has just one top tip – but it’s a good one! If you’re blessed to be isolating with other people, grab a board game or a pack of cards and enjoy each other’s company while keeping your mind active with a bit of strategy and competition. If you’re on your own — there’s lots of games you can play with family and friends over a video call! (The number of times I lost obscure board games to Tim suggests that he definitely practices what he preaches when it comes to this tip… )

There’s loads of online games you can play with friends virtually in this season. A couple of personal favourites include the word game Taboo and team strategy game Codenames!

After more than a decade living in Afghanistan, Catherine* (who heads up BMS’ mental health work in the country) has learned that balance is key to keeping family harmony and happiness during prolonged times of isolation. “We’re managing to enjoy being together, and getting enough time without people to be happy, by balancing planned and spontaneous activities like special food, TV, looking at old pictures and that sort of thing.” She also suggests having some meals apart, with each family member making and having their meal when they want, so that they sometimes have the freedom to be alone and eat in peace.

Catherine is also benefitting from the perks of empowering her teenage children — if you also have teenagers perhaps you can follow suit and put your feet up! “I would highly recommend putting kids in charge of all food arrangements — I’ve just got to task shift the actual grocery shopping to them too and my life will be easy… !”

Green-fingered BMS worker Ruby* thinks it’s important not to be too hard on yourself — this is a difficult time, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Her advice? “Break your day down into sections. I usually use the hour marker for my time and I only focus on that hour, not all that I need to do in the days ahead.

“I have a very low concentration ability unless I’m doing something practical so, mix things up if you are the same. Mix computer work for an hour with a puzzle or some gardening.”

To distract her young children from the potential dangers outside, mum-of-two Jenny* finds ways to make lockdowns fun. And it’s not just the children who benefit — as her former next-door neighbour, I can confirm that the adults also very much enjoyed this approach to lockdown!

Planning to cook a pizza? Why not make it a pizza party?! Going to make a pie? Let’s call it a pie down and make it a bit of a competition! Renaming things and making mealtimes exciting can make days in lockdown memorable rather than monotonous. “Plan something fun,” says Jenny. “Do a craft project, bake and decorate a cake, get out the paddling pool and have water fight in the garden.” And if it’s all getting too much? “A little extra screen time isn’t the end of the world — watch a film” (with snacks, of course).

Here’s a simple cake recipe you can make if you can get the ingredients locally. 

Mary* finds it helpful to take pleasure in the little things — not having to set an alarm clock, sitting in the garden without her headscarf (perhaps not such a treat in the UK), playing her music just a little bit louder than she normally would. “Have a pyjama day!” she says. “Start the crochet or knitting that’s been in the bag since last summer, watch the DVD you’ve been saving, cook that thing you’ve been putting off because it takes too long… ”

Enjoying the beauty that’s around us and taking time to notice the simple things that bring us joy are great ways to pass this time in lockdown.

It’s horrible not knowing when this will all be over. This is not an easy time for anyone. It’s heartbreaking not being able to see loved ones, reading reports of rising death tolls, and maybe even losing people we love to Coronavirus. And while we grieve, and while we try to make the most of this time, it’s important to remember that life won’t always be like this.

“Remember that it really won’t go on forever. Life does not look like this forevermore… ” says Rose. And Ruby agrees. “‘This too shall pass.’ We will get through this and what’s more I pray we are stronger on the other side.”

I hope these tips help you as you continue staying home for the time being. And if nothing else, that they give you an insight into the lives of some of the people you support when you give to and pray for BMS. When they’re not on lockdown (and actually a lot of the time when they are on lockdown) they’re working incredibly hard too! I’ve seen it first-hand! Show them some love today by liking this story.

Words by Jessica*

*All names changed for security reasons