What is the reality of living alone during this pandemic, when your entire town, state, or even country goes into a strict quarantine? What are the worst days like, and how do you stay healthy, safe, and sane when loneliness and the longing for human connection are prominent parts of every day? Today we talk with Nicole Hardy, a Seattle-based writer who has been living in complete isolation since Seattle went into quarantine nearly four months ago. She opens up about her difficult and painful experience living cut off from all human contact, and the ways she has learned to cope. Nicole is the author of the memoir Confessions of a Latter-Day Virgin, a finalist for the Washington State Book Award. Her essays have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post and Marie Claire. Find her on her website or on Twitter. Read more of her thoughts on her time during lockdown in her article in Seattle Magazine, Living Alone in a Former Sanitorium. and check out her first appearance on The Bittersweet Life back on Episode 124 SHIP. --------------------------------------- ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started. BECOME A PATRON: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life and receive awesome prizes in return for your generosity! Visit our Patreon site to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue. SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us. JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon. TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!