I’m sure, like me, if you’ve been stuck in Singapore now since 2019 you might be thinking to yourself that the 14-day self isolated quarantine could be worth it, just for the ability to return to loved ones / leave the island / travel for business. Financial aspect aside, that two weeks stint in complete isolation in a hotel room…sounds like it could be mentally torturous. I mean who exactly wants to spend two weeks entirely alone with their own thoughts, no contact with the outside world, no nature, no fresh air…just you and four lonely walls?
So, I figured, I’d interview someone who has actually gone through it, to enlighten us all on how it really is, day in, day out, 14 days non-stop completely alone and room-bound.
Enter, Max.
1. Did you do any mental / physical prep when you knew you’d be going into quarantine?
I was not really afraid of it, I think if you accept it, then it is much easier to go through with it. It is a good moment to be with yourself, to take your time and to think about things that you usually are too busy day-to-day to think about. I started dreaming again. I started talking to myself too, but I don’t think it’s that bad. Is it?
*It’s a little bad Max, not going to lie mate.*
2. How does the hotel placement work exactly? Are you escorted straight there from the airport?
When you reach Singapore, they check that all of your papers are in order (Covid test, approval from Government etc.) at least four times, then you pass the customs and wait in line. Groups of 20 are directed to the dedicated bus without further indication of where we are going. The only good tip I can give, is to sit behind the driver because he is the first person you cross paths with that actually knows where you are going. Unfortunately, when you start the chit chat, and figure out which hotel you are heading to, you better have had the jackpot because you can’t switch bus anymore. If you don’t sit behind the driver, like me, well you can look at the window and start crying when you realise that this is not the route for Shangri-La Sentosa.
When you reach the hotel, there is a bit of a wait, but you then finally end up being thrown into your room for 14 days. You better enjoy that walk in the corridors. It’s the last time you will see people other than the quick glimpse at staff handing over your meals at very precise eating hours. But that’s another story.
3. So the rules are – you don’t leave those four walls? What about fresh air? A balcony?
Depends on your luck. Some gets the Holiday Inn without a window, some get the Fairmont with a large-ass balcony (and bathtub and bathrobe!!!!!). Most are a bit in-between, like me, at the ParkRoyal with a huge window but with only a TINY part on the top that can be opened. I had to climb chairs to put my long French nose in the half-opened part to breath some (warm and humid) but fresh air. And no…you cannot leave those four walls. The few highs I had were when I opened the door to grab packages and I was able to place a few toes outside. I even went up to 1.5 metres out of my room around the 13th day. Beat that!
4. Are you checked up on daily?
Shit, that reminds me that I need to do it! Yes, there is a self-temperature check to do daily at 6pm. Yes we need to do this and yes, I often forget. Sometimes MOM calls your hotel room to enquire if we are remaining positive, no thoughts of jumping from the window, that I can’t open or cut my veins with the knife that I don’t have because they never give us anything like that.
Yes, I was cutting meats with chopsticks, that’s not the bad part about the meals. We’ll discuss that later,
5. What items did you make sure you packed?
I brought in my suitcase a few precious items:
– A Pull-up bar (that you have to place carefully to avoid destroying the hotel walls)
– Water packs & tape (so you can do all sorts of weight training with those and the bar)
– A bottle of red (preferably a Chateau de Meursault Pommard 1er Cru “Clos des Epenots” 2016 but you do what you can)
– A good Saucisson from the Alps (okay that’s not a necessity just personal enjoyment)
6. It’s day 6. What’s been the hardest thing so far?
Ohhh nothing is hard I am in fact having the time of my life! 5 stars Joël Robuchon cuisine, constant parties in the suite with the hotel staff, unlimited champagne, fully equipped gym room and an enormous swimming pool that I can use even after 10pm!
In truth, evenings are really hard. Days are pretty packed but when it comes to around 6pm, it gets tough. Your mind expects the “norm” such as gathering with friends, socialising, enjoying a glass of wine. You know, you can only do so many “Netflix & Pizza” solo nights in 2 weeks…it can be tough to resist jumping out of the window in these moments…that is…until you realise you can’t fit because the window is too small anyway.
7. What are you doing daily to keep yourself mentally occupied?
A very tight schedule.
A – Waking up with the sun, meditation, cold shower, strong coffee, work until noon.
B – A good workout session
C – Combine breakfast & lunch before working hard again
D – Watch the sunset with a book and some tea
E – Write a bit if you feel like it, order a feast and sleep early so you don’t have time to think about other things you could be doing.
PS: Don’t hesitate to call friends here and there and to do completely useless things, like Tik Tok, to fill some empty space.
9. I assume you’re able to get deliveries day and night?
Yes, deliveries are great, I try not to do it everyday, so it feels a bit special and I appreciate it more. An important one though is the first one you do when you arrive. I ordered cheese (yes cheeseeeee), good coffee, green tea, water packs, nice bathroom products (shampoo, toothpaste, etc.) and some healthy snacks to feel a bit more at home.
10. Have you had any real low points, mentally, during these 14 days?
Day 2 in the evening – that was pretty low. I felt a bit helpless and bored, but then I got organised with a good routine, focused on great plans and then I felt much better with a purpose. Working on my business, working on my investment strategies, learning more about topics I am passionate about and working out, breathing and stretching intensively helped keep my mood lifted.
11. What has these days stuck inside made you appreciate the most, that you perhaps took for granted before?
It made me appreciate being with myself. I love to share and be with others, but it ultimately reminded me that there is only me in this vessel. Fixation with the world’s expectations of my identity limits my identity. I feel a bit more alive and bit more in control of me and who I am now.
12. What’s the main positives you can think of, that has come from your self-isolation?
Having time, to take my time. Days are slower, you are more in your head, you can reprioritize and focus on what is essential. You can read more, and I highly recommend reading this: The Virtue of Solitude: Is Being Alone The New Therapy?
13. Day 10. How are you feeling today?
Day 10 is Sunday for me, I have been doing everything possible to avoid looking at my friend’s Instagram stories of them enjoying their life on a boat (cry). I worked, I drew, I wrote, I binge watched some Korean dramas, I looked at the sky countless times. But all in all, I wasn’t depressed because it’s day 10, so Day 14 is now so close that you can feel the sun on your cheeks already.
14. Has social media helped you through?
For sure. The only real-life social interactions you get, are waiting at the door so that when your neighbour opens their door to grab his meal you can briefly say hi OR spying at the window people working at their desks. Social media made me live through other people. It’s only depressing on the weekend when you should be with them on those damn IG stories.
15. Worst part of your days?
When I look at the window and it is this time of the day when other captives are lining by the pool to do their PCR-test meaning that they would be freed the following day. And alas, I am still stuck up here.
16. Best part of your days?
When MOM wakes me up to ask the same questions over and over:
– How do you feel? Like the tiger walking in circles in the Night Safari, and you?
– What’s the last 4 digits on your pass? Haven’t changed them, have you changed them?
– Are you alone in the room? YES, unless you count the other guys in my head.
– Did you check your temperature three times today? Yessssss I did.
17. You’re nearly at the end now (YAS) what’s the first thing you plan to do once you’re out?
I am finally having a house warming that’s very long overdue because I moved in to my new place the same day I flew out to Paris. Also I really need a haircut… and finally bother to take a shower. Haha just kidding. Or am I?
18. What’s the first thing you’re going to eat / drink?
I am going to go Hai Di Lao on my own and order everything six times including TsingTao, pork brain and the guy who makes the pasta dance.
19. and finally… in hindsight….was your trip to Europe worth the 14 days of isolation? Would you do it again?
I would do it again, but only for a good reason. More seriously, after one year stuck in Singapore, spending one month in France and seeing my family, friends, eating charcuterie, cheese, wine, feeling the cold, the snow, the Parisian life, the air in the mountains, the fire in the countryside, the Atlantic Ocean… YES it was 100% worth it.
But, that being said, I am happy to be back to my second home, I missed my chicken rice and speaking 华语 with uncles.
And Max, I am sure, Singapore missed you too! Thank you for taking the time to share, with such honesty wit and passion, your isolated quarantine experience with us all. It’s been very insightful, and incredibly funny!
