The second half of March was... Weird. Toilet paper was suddenly a covetable commodity, news programs became the new Netflix, and society was engaged in a real-time social experiment to determine whether we could live our lives entirely through Instagram Stories and Houseparty.
The first few days of lockdown were fairly easy-going and, for those nonessential workers, potentially liberating: we’re talking cats perched on laptops, seeing your boss manhandle their kids during video calls and trying creative recipes making the most of tinned beans.
It was around a week into lockdown when confinement became competitive. How hours spent self-isolating were filled – decluttering the house from top to bottom, creating tablescapes worthy of an award, enrolling in e-courses and committing to daily fitness challenges – morphed into collective one-upmanship.
MAJOR LEAGUE
The reactions spawned by enforced social distancing indicate that we’re living in an age of extremes. If this more-is-more attitude is pervading your workouts, it’s also infecting your free time – or what’s left of it.
A recent report by Henley Business School in the UK found that 37 percent of those aged between 25 and 34 run a side hustle alongside their day job, such as a craft business, an e-commerce site, or a blog. Even reading, once the most inconspicuous of bedtime activities, is now a competitive discipline.
There are over 1.5 million posts using the hashtag #readinglist on Instagram, where users share their progress with the uncontained excitement of someone who’s just found R100 in the pocket of an old jacket. But, beyond a bolstered social following, is taking everything to extremes actually doing you any good?
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Irreconcilable Differences?
You’re one-upping your partner on all health fronts and now your relationship has more tension than your new resistance bands. Here’s how to get over the hurdle of mismatched goals.
Hot And Bothered
Inflammation is all the rage in health conversations right now and research is establishing it as a major player in all sorts of issues you don't want to deal with. But! You can safeguard yourself from the smokin' internal inferno with these smart strategies.
Self-esteem under the microscope
The term brings to mind positive-thinking memes with sunset backdrops and swirly lettering. But could I you sum up self-esteem when asked as part of a pub quiz? Didn't think so. And there's more at stake here than winning the points.
the reset
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO START OVER
Mind Over Muscle
Could you level up your strength training just by putting your mind to it?
ON BEING THE HEROINE OF YOUR OWN LIFE
Olympian. All-African Games winner. African champion. Record-breaker. Javelin athlete Jo-Ané van Dyk talks mental fortitude and what it takes to live up to your own hype. If there's one thing she can do, it's to throw down. And it's all about to reach peak levels.
Why Women Are Choosing to Be Child-Free
The choice can be liberating, yet stigmas persist. Here, how to cut through the noise with clarity and confidence to make the decision that's right for *you.*
FUEL YOUR SKIN
Inside your body, there's a crew of unsung protein heroes that scientists believe are the key to a healthy, glowing complexion. Heads-up: your routine is about to change for the better.
How To Be Decisive
You could use a Magic 8 ball to help you make a choice. Or, while you're waiting to 'ask again later', let our experts explain the best ways to get unstuck.
Build A Strong Base
You heard it here: the pelvic floor is the forgotten core - and you're selling yourself short by waiting for a specific life stage to train it. Your four-move workout is here.