I don't take it all back, but in a backflip that has been typical of life throughout this corona rollercoaster, I have also seen some of its dangers. This morning, I slid sideways out of the bed, trying not to trigger my backstrain from heaving the wood for the fire. As my feet hit the floor, my husband said, "Here, have a look at this", and waved his 1892 version of an iPhone at me.

He has finally given up his flip-phone with the giant numbers for a mate's old iPhone for the sole reason that COVID-19 has made it hard to get a phone bet on with the TAB. This morning, he wanted the music icon replaced by the TAB app icon. Right now. After fiddling about with that, I fed the animals.

Cat number two promptly came inside and regurgitated his on the carpet. Cat number one decided it was worth investigating.

I cleaned it up. Cleaned out the bowls. Emptied the cat litter. Emptied the recycling container. Took a Milo into the one who should have been up homeschooling. Got dressed. Shovelled in food. Took something else edible in for the homeschooler. Badgered her about her music assignment. Cleaned up. Got in the car, and went to our little work studio. Ahhh, the serenity.

Looked down. I still had my slippers on. Feeling confused, well out of your comfort zone and living with a house full of people whose lives have been similarly grenaded, life seems to lurch from one hour to the next.

Am I working? Am I homeschooling? Are people eating correctly? Why aren't I getting all those projects done? Is my child depressed? Is she keeping up?

Are we earning money? Why are all these family posts on Facebook so perfect? Why aren't we having themed dinner nights?

Home is a beautiful place to be, but the boundaries have all gone. Some days, the loungeroom has now become a work office/school classroom/lunchroom/household duties arena where you sometimes can't remember if you are talking to the cat at your feet or your boss on Zoom.

Is there somewhere in-between? Can returning to "normal" life carry some of our lessons with it? One of the things I have missed most in isolation is isolation. There are always other people in my house - sure, they might be my family, but holy moly, everyone needs a little peace sometimes. I'm sure they feel the same.

This teacup ride of happy, anxious, sad, serene is more than unnerving. To those out there feeling unsettled, you are not alone.

Marie Low is a freelance journalist based in Gunnedah, NSW