Introducing Self-Isolation Sessions - an introvert’s Twitch series

Well, this just got real serious, real fast.

Following my blog about coronavirus over the weekend, the government have quite rightly stepped up their game in terms of suppressing this disease and protecting the lives of people across the UK.

And after the recommendation to work from home, that’s exactly what I’m doing.

So, with all this free-time in the evenings, here’s a chance to do something new. Here is a chance for me to talk to you all directly and hopefully entertain you all in these difficult times with the Self-Isolation Sessions.

What are the Self-Isolation Sessions?

It is the rebirth of my Twitch channel, which has long gone ignored since raising £392.40 for Macmillan Cancer Support back in November.

It feels weird, realising that the way you normally live your life actually has some fun names like “social distancing” or “quarantine.” So instead of dwelling on this self-realisation of the extent of my introversion, I’m going to take this time and focus on something new.

What will I be streaming? 

Anything and everything really. My focus will be on my first love - gaming, and I’ve stockpiled hundreds of games ready for a moment like this. But I do have other passions and things I’d like to do, which could translate to entertaining/educational on-screen stuff.

Thinking of starting a podcast for example, and there’s my digital marketing background that I could dive into (maybe show you guys how to make an Instagram AR filter). Could even buzz you in on doing some of my blog/freelance work - where I hunt for good tech/gaming deals and type my strongly worded opinions on the machinations of the industry to a soundtrack. And for kicks, I do often go down YouTube wormholes in my spare time, so may as well share that journey with you.

The options are there and we start with a strong basis - Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Before, I was excited for this game, but now it’s become pretty much the perfect release for the time we live in.

When can I tune in?

This is that tricky task that many-a-twitch streamer who never really makes it gets stuck with. You see, I may be an introvert and that leads to plenty of time - but a lot of that time gets taken up by adulting (from what I’ve learnt, it’s a combination of cleaning the house, cooking dinners and occasionally being told off for not putting kitchen utensils in the right place).

In due course, I’ll sort out a schedule and make sure it's clear on my Twitch, so you’ve got full visibility of when I’m going live - whether you wish to mock my gameplaying ability (spoiler alert: it's bad) or just chat for a while.

I will start from Monday 23rd March (hopefully with Animal Crossing, if I am so lucky as to get that delivered on the 20th, given the current climate), then we will go from there - establishing a schedule as we go on.

Why am I doing this?

Because these are anxious times for a lot of people (myself included), and I hope that with this series, I can at least take your mind off what’s going on in the world right now for just a few minutes.

While your health is a priority, nobody deserves the overwhelming pressure on your mental health that comes from isolation. You can only watch The American Office so many times (sorry, but it’s true), and variety is the spice of life.

Show your support

I have gone the way of many content creators and set up a Patreon, to help fund my original in-depth content and give me the time to produce more (if you like it of course). 

After nearly ten years of doing this, I’ve discovered my own unique voice in the geek blogging space and I’m keen to expand. If you enjoy what I make, please do support me if you can.

In doing so, you will have direct control over my output - any topics you want me to cover? Any games you want me to play? Anything you want me to podcast about? Any fun ideas for forfeits if I lose online matches? My key goal here is to try to entertain you in these difficult times. The Patreon is open for any and all suggestions.

Of course, some of these tiers are focussed on physical goods, and I will fulfill them once all of this blows over - in the interest of ensuring I’m not taking up the precious resource that is the postal service at this time.