Right now, we’re about half an hour north of Boston. We’ve only been here for a month and a half, but it feels much longer. We decided to come here because Tokyo, with its insane population density and reliance on public transporation, doesn’t seem like the place to be during a global pandemic. Luckily, my parents and brother are here to help with Baby J, but some days are still very difficult.

For someone like me, quarantine life doesn’t sound so bad on paper. Unlike many of my friends in the entertainment industry who have been laid off, I’m still working. Actually, I have so much work to do that I’ve decided to hire two of my currently jobless friends to write for this blog – just trying to spread some good karma. I’m pretty introverted, so staying at home and working on my personal projects was always near the top of my list of things to do when I had free time pre-COVID. Despite my love for working, staying productive during this pandemic has been extremely difficult for a few reasons.

1. Staying inside voluntarily is freeing. Staying inside involuntarily is claustrophobic and anxiety-inducing.
2. Mainstream media has turned into a negative propaganda machine, and my family loves watching mainstream media.
3. Almost everyone is working from home, and my parents’ house is not big enough for seven people. I’m having a hard time focusing on work because there is no peace and quiet.
4. Baby J is 15 months old, and he doesn’t stop moving and talking. I also worry whether his lack of social interaction with other toddlers during this time will have a lasting effect on his development.

I hate dwelling on problems, so I’m doing my best to get through this. I’m going to try out the solutions below over the next few weeks.

1. Working on my porch, and taking walks outside more frequently.
2. Listen to music or podcasts with my in-ear monitors to shield myself from the daily mainstream propaganda on TV.
3. Waking up two hours before everyone else to kickstart my work day.
4. Spend more time with Baby J – I’ll be able to do this because of Step 3.

Quarantine parenting is hard, and I’m not afraid to admit it. I’m constantly stressed and anxious throughout the day, and am occasionally convinced we are living in a simulation. Hopefully, changing my routine with the steps mentioned above will help me be a better father, husband, employee, and person.

If you’re a parent during these unprecedented times and want to chat, please reach out. It would be awesome to connect and talk. Feel free to send me an email or message me on Twitter.