Remote island caretaker shares lessons learned after months of isolation

There were a few times this winter when Jeff Macleod desperately wanted to see another human being.

"It got very dark. I wasn't sure if I would be able to make it," Macleod said to host Stephen Quinn on CBC's The Early Edition. 

Macleod spent the last six months living and working alone as a caretaker on privately-owned Twin Island, located between the east coast of Vancouver Island and B.C.'s mainland. 

His job was to maintain the solar panels on the island, feed the resident chickens and cats, and maintain a security presence on the island. 

While Macleod called it the dream job he had always wanted and described himself as an "fairly independent, solitary creature," the actual experience was quite different. 

"I was quite excited in the beginning, then the solitude definitely set in after a period of time," he said. "You have to sit with parts of yourself that you cover over with the distractions of daily life."

Macleod has some sympathy for people who are struggling with physical distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

He said focusing on a routine and enjoying hobbies like reading helped him considerably.

"Do those things that you do get enjoyment from but still do the things you don't necessarily want to do, clean the house and do those sorts of things," he advised.

Finally, he said, focusing on the end — which can be tough to estimate when it comes to coronavirus — can also help.

"Sometimes you just gotta put your head down and keep doing what you gotta do and know that it will come to an end at some point," he said. 

And the experience was still a great way to get to know himself. He'd even do it again.

"I think it will be a much better experience the second time around."

Listen to the interview with Jeff Macleod on CBC's The Early Edition:

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