I saw this jade-colored turtle by our garden, on a potted plant, and thought, “I’m going to make you my pandemic pet.”

The idea was inspired by my research on tea pets and my decision on a writing pet.

This turtle now sits on my desk lamp, beside my bed. I intend for it to greet me every morning and remind me to be in it for the long run.

You can have a pandemic pet too.

Just scan your home for a fitting symbol to get you through this time.

New objects I’ve acquired recently are a quarantine pass, face mask, and disinfectant.

So why not balance it out by having an object not borne out of survival, authority, or regulation, but inspiration.

If you’re in quarantine, it’s a nice way to have a companion. Sounds silly? The Chinese did it with their tea pets. Read here and here.

You don’t have to be limited to an animal figurine either.

If you’re a frontliner or need to be away from home, you can add a photo, a receipt, an event ticket—whatever reminds you of better days—in your pocket or wallet. Think of it as the equivalent of wartime pilots who have a photo of their family on their dashboard.

My turtle figurine is there to remind me that slow and steady wins the race. We can’t be the rabbit at this time—jumpy, panicky, impatient. That’s not to say we should be passive, yet practice level-headedness and longevity, while taking action. Things may feel slow, but notice that it doesn’t have to mean stagnant.

It’s a silly suggestion, I know.

Yet we all may benefit from a child-like companion, during this very adult situation.