It goes without saying that COVID-19 has entirely upended our lives in previously unimaginable ways.
It’s forced most of us to conjure up creative ways to enjoy life in isolation, and has seen us experience highs and lows like never before.
So, we asked women to share their best and worst moments from living in the strange era of COVID-19.
From weddings at home and isolation birthdays, to the traumatic results of home-schooling, their answers ranged from hilarious to heart-breaking.
Here’s what they shared with us…
Best
1. Caitlin
"Throwing an isolation birthday party for my four-year-old! He wanted us to all dress up as Star Wars characters and have a light saber fight, eat party food and do a Zoom birthday cake. Best day ever!"
2. Natasha
"Greeting our guests at the end of our Zoom wedding ceremony (celebrant took picture). A 'best' moment, of course."
3. Milly
"Watching live gigs from the comfort of my bed, with a cup of tea and no bra. As much as I miss live music, this is a close second as the best way to hear music!"
4. Danni
"Limited nappy supply in the supermarket meant our two-year-old had no choice but to be potty/toilet trained. This is a best moment - definitely a positive to come out of this COVID-craziness."
5. Clare
"My dog now watches me with suspicion because he’s scared of being walked... again. He gets up to three walks a day and while it was great at first he’d like it known that sometimes it’s okay to roam around and just eat whatever lands on the kitchen floor. The look on his face is priceless."
6. Belinda
"With my husband working 12 hour days and my ‘work from home’ status on hold as it has dried up, plus attempting to home school, this was my Sunday afternoon solution to self care. I combined exercise with social distancing with a friend, so I could get some sanity. Some might see it as a worst photo but it was the best and now I’m ready for ground hog day."
7. Gemma
"My partner and I have been using the pandemic as motivation to get up before the sun on Saturdays so we can see something beautiful and feel like we’ve accomplished something awesome all before 7am... Then we don’t feel as gross just lounging around for the rest of the weekend doing absolutely nothing."
8. Amy
"We had been thinking about getting a friend for our cat. Kids home from normal school and me not working made it the perfect time to adopt this little boy from the rescue place."
9. Felicity
"This is one of my best moments - ensuring one of my besties Jenna and her husband Farid felt special and spoilt on what would have been their baby shower day for their first bub. Gifts and a cake, with coffee across the front porch."
Worst
10. Pauline
"This is me attempting to do university music courses online. Practical classes just aren't the same through a computer."
11. Sarah
"Home schooling multiple kids and working at home is a big juggle, but we are for the most part enjoying it, except for the moment when Miss 9 deleted all her mornings work instead of submitting it."
12. Holly
"This was definitely one of our worst moments. There were no nappies available to put on our daughter on the drive home from nanny’s house, and she decided while on the highway she had to go."
13. Annette
"This is my best and worst moment. Having my first baby, but having no visitors and no family around to help."
14. Jessie
"Not being able to see my family, including my cousin who has an intellectual disability and is really confused and frustrated by the situation. He’s in his group home and can’t see anyone and calls us a lot... asking when he’s allowed to go on a holiday. It’s sad but we’re glad he’s safe."
15. Abigail
"Written on the dining table in pen after a fraught week of ‘remote learning’."
16. Chelsea
"Mamamia's beauty guru Amy Clark had to come to my rescue because I SHAVED MY EYEBROW OFF. Well, part of it. This is what happens when you have too much time on your hands and attempt some DIY. Amy has instructed me to use this growth serum on my poor eyebrow morning and night, till it recovers."
17. Kate
"This is my best and worst moment! My husband is stuck on the other side of the country at work for months, plus I can't seei my newborn niece. But it is also my best, because I get to spend quality time with my beautiful babies and we are not having to rush to be anywhere."
18. Tracey
"This was a socially distant lunch with my parents who returned from Indonesia and Singapore and went straight into self isolation. This was our worst moment because we couldn’t hug them, to welcome them home, to wish mum a 'happy birthday' and to celebrate their 48th wedding anniversary. But it was also the best, because we knew that they were doing the right thing and we were supporting them in their self quarantine!"
Top Comments
We had guests from London, Auckland, Kaipara Flats (NZ) Newry, Malvern East, Highett, Noosa, Byron Bay, Drouin, Glenroy, Armadale, Frankston, Seaford, Carrum, Mornington, Richmond, Cheltenham and Grantville. Some I haven't physically seen for years! There'd be no other time I'd be able to have all of these awesome people in the same room.
We attempted playing Never Have I Ever, there were dance offs, Fireball shots and birthday cake, they even sung me happy birthday! Plus we had a 1-hour set from our own personal musician (my cousin) Loui Llusions. Such a strange world we're living in right now but so lucky to feel the love and still get to celebrate. Made for some great photos too!