I love the bathroom! Such a great location to live central to everything.

Hang in there! I hope the rest of your quarantine goes smoothly. Thanks for doing your part.

I love her attitude.

I love this space, it looks so welcoming. I love seeing all of your books!

Beautiful! I love your style.

I agree that it is important to keep things in perspective. However, I think the article is right about this experience being one of grief. Grief can arise with any change - big or small. Sometimes it is hardest to grieve the 'small' losses because this sort of grief is not really socially sanctioned or supported, and people feel silly for being so effected. However, if people stuff the grief down and ignore it, these feelings tend to end up being acted out in far more maladaptive ways, as we have seen with fisticuffs at Woolworths.

I there is space for both resolute stoicism and grief during this experience, and perhaps we may all find ourselves moving back and forth between the two.

Oh dear, none of us enjoy being cooped up inside but this person isn't exactly rising to the occasion. I wonder if in years to come she will look back on this and be embarrassed that she was on national TV griping about fresh air. Her complaints comes across as tone deaf when other people's lives have been turned upside down, and sadly, some are dying. Maybe the family needs to watch some footage of the scenes in Spain and Italy in order to keep their own plight in perspective. Or perhaps have a chat on the internet to some people who remain isolated indefinitely due to disabilities or health conditions.

To be honest, I think the health advice about the social distancing was pretty clear that day. I think Australians were being very laid back about it and trying to enjoy a day at the beach. While under different circumstances, being so laid back is an endearing part of our culture, at present, it has endangered lives.

I can't help but wonder if the photos had been of crowds on Cronulla beach (for example) rather than Bondi, whether mamamia would still be writing an article defending the actions of beachgoers....

I'm sorry that it didn't work out for you. It was a big step to take to move over there and you should give yourself credit for taking the leap to do it. I'm sure under normal circumstances you would have found a job and enjoyed a successful London adventure. These are extraordinary times and it's not your fault that it didn't work out. I'm glad to hear you will be safe with your family soon.

Yes, I find it odd that the author is claiming that 'Schools are the only place in Australia right now not abiding by the rules of social distancing.' In fact, most people are having to go work as usual despite the risk. It is naive to single out the teaching profession as being a 'sacrificial lamb.' I would imagine that flight attendants, nurses, doctors, aged care workers, cleaners and ward staff, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers, hospitality workers, customer service staff, hairdressers etc are at equivalent or greater risk of contracting the virus. Small business owners are placed at an enormous financial risk that teachers aren't really facing. I have empathy for teachers but to claim that they are being uniquely 'sacrificed' rubs me up the wrong way.

I do wonder about the fact that so many friends and family seem to object to the situation. I get that people can have biases that are unfounded, but usually friends and family come around over time if the new partner is decent. The article seems to suggest that the authors friends and family were almost universally against the relationship and still make comments against it. That does make me feel a bit suspicious and wonder if they are seeing red flags in this relationship that the author doesn't see yet, which aren't just about the age gap. I also find it odd that the author claims to be living paycheck to paycheck even though he has savings. Is she -really- living paycheck to paycheck, and if so, why aren't financial resources shared? Having said all of that, I hope that the author is happy in the relationship and that the concerns about it are unfounded.