“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.” ~ Sun Tzu
Call me crazy, but as a person prone to anxiety and panic attacks when things start to feel like they’re falling apart, I feel a weird sense of calm in the midst of this pandemic that is Coronavirus. On one hand, I see people posting on Facebook thinking they’re invincible, not remotely caring about possibly infecting others in a more vulnerable demographic, like the lady on my Facebook feed who made sure to hit up her favorite restaurants because she’s “not sure she can handle being home for 2 weeks,” and thinks this virus is “just like the flu anyway.” And worse yet are the Facebook friends who are posting about this entire thing being a hoax, as if the entire world is engaging in a gigantic joke that causes economic crisis.
I scroll and see panic.
I scroll and see fear.
But I also scroll and see compassion.
I see a post from a woman suggesting we use colored scarves on our door to indicate our status: green for “simply quarantined for safety,” red for “sick,” and purple for “need groceries/assistance.”
And again, I scroll.
I see articles about deaths. Articles with still images of HASMAT suits. I see panic. I see fear.
And then I see a fellow Mom like me, offering to deliver a box of cereal or snacks to anyone who might need them.
Followed by a teacher live streaming tips for home schooling your kids, maintaining schedules, and how to handle e-learning platforms.
I see photos of newborn babies who now get both of their parents home due to this work-from-home situation. And my daughter’s preschool teacher, who recorded a 5-minute video of her reading a book aloud for bedtime in our preschool group, just to brighten our day and make connection with her students.
And I realize…
We choose what to see.
I’m not saying there isn’t reason to be aware, and to be taking precautions. I’m also not saying to disregard the situation at hand. But I am saying, like the famous movie, that “love actually is all around.” You just have to choose to see it.
Mister Rogers was quoted as saying, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'”
Which leads me to my point here: What if we took this down time and uncertainty and came out of it better? What if we decided that this was a sign to look for all of the good around us, to help others (even if it’s simply sending a video to uplift their spirits), to innovate, and to not just survive, but thrive?
I believe we can.
Here are the things I believe could become truth amidst this chaotic quarantine crisis of COVID-19:
1. Families Become Closer
Despite the sarcastic memes, especially at the start of this crisis, I believe we could find that families become closer given their close proximity to one another. More bonding time, in the form of movies on the couch, cooking together, playing outside, and crafting. The hectic rush of the usual workdays typically cause us to eat meals apart from one another, rush through bedtime routine, and cram our quality time into the 5pm-10pm timeframe. Not now. Mama, now is the time to read that extra bedtime story. Make bubble beards in the bath. Whip up a batch of brownies because you can. Date night with your spouse at home with a Netflix binge and wine or an appetizer cook-off. On the other side of this can be a family who is stronger than ever. I can see it. Can you?
2. Online Business Thrives
Truth is, if you haven’t had a Plan B income stream, now is the time to start one. You know the saying, “The best time to plant a tree was yesterday. The next best time is today”? Well, sister, now is the time for you to find an innovative way to make money online, even if it’s simply selling things from around your house. There are no excuses here: Everyone has access to Google, and most online platforms are free or cost very little. If you choose to wallow in your lack of things, well… Read “Mindset” by Carol Dweck and realize you’re living in a victim mentality. Embrace abundance and learn something new! Said with love. I believe that because of this quarantine, we could see new businesses and platforms emerge online. Perhaps more ways of connecting virtually, new social media options, and business tools. I am excited for what’s to come. What’s been on your mind to create? Because, well, you just got the green light.
3. Educators Become More Savvy and Connect with Students on a Greater Level
Disclaimer: My husband is a school teacher, and his parents were teachers and school administrators, too. I’m very familiar with the life of a teacher, and I know the stressors that they’re undergoing right now with the transition to online teaching. I also know that there are lots of things about modern day education pre-quarantine that are too old school and ineffective, and I believe this shift to online is an almost forced way for teachers to become more online savvy, which will allow students to better connect with both them and with the material. While a teacher lecturing and providing notes may have worked 50 years ago, kids now learn better at a faster pace, via visual learning and video. I believe this movement to online will build stronger learning, and will allow introverted students to perhaps shine. Don’t get me wrong — Physical school, and going without, especially for those who don’t have the best home lives, is rough. But I’m choosing to look at the opportunity here, and I think there is ample. Teachers who typically spend 70% of their day on disciplinary action may actually get to teach more on the subject matter they love, and in ways that engage their students. And students, now having the flexibility of being at home as opposed to “tied to a chair” hour after hour in school, may just be more focused. Only time will tell.
4. People Start to Focus on Their Health, Because They Realize Without it, They Have Nothing
I’ve never seen so much talk about hand washing, supplements to build immunity, and dismay over gym closures as I’ve seen thanks to this crisis, but it tells me one thing: That people are realizing now, more than ever, that without their health they have nothing. With more time at home and with parents wanting ways to engage their children in activity, exercise from home is going to surge. The #1 excuse I receive, as a virtual personal trainer and health coach, is lack of time. Well guess what? Lots of us (I realize not all) just got more time. And your kids have energy to burn. What better time than NOW to start streaming workouts from home and cooking meals together as a family? Heck, maybe you’ll rise from your home in a few weeks with a killer body thanks to this quarantine. 😉
5. Corporations Find More Productivity Thanks to Work-From-Home Employees
When I worked my corporate job, I used to ask on occasion if I could work from home. The answer was always no. It seemed that people with kids would get approved almost always, but those of us without? Yeah. No luck. So many corporations have stuck to their old fashioned ways of clocking in 9-5 in a physical building, while others in recent years have started allowing more flexibility with their employees. And not so shockingly, those who have allowed more flexibility have also seen a rise in productivity. Which is exactly my point. Perhaps all of these businesses being forced to close their doors and send their staff home to work will surprise those old school business CEOs with their increase in productivity and innovation.
6. Homes Become Decluttered and Organized, Allowing Less Anxiety and More Focus
If I had a dime for the number of memes I’ve seen about Moms resorting to organizing their pantries, closets, and messy rooms thanks to boredom, I’d be rich! But it goes without saying that a cleaner, more organized home also leads to less anxiety and more focus for everyone. Perhaps this extra down time can lead to more order in the home, which will help us come out of this feeling focused and prepared.
This article touches on just how important organizing really is.
7. True colors of businesses will stand out.
I’ve been shocked already at how businesses are handling this situation. I’m seeing restaurants that are closing down but opting to deliver meals, and zoos and museums offering free virtual tours and live streams, and I’m also seeing places do absolutely nothing aside from closing up shop and hoping for the best. I believe that those who have long-term vision, who serve now despite the rewards not coming until later, will be the businesses that thrive on the other side of this.
All of this to say, I think we are absolutely in a time of economic downturn and chaos, but we are also in a time of opportunity. I can’t help but think of the things I am grateful for during this time, such as:
My health, and my family’s health.
Social media to help me stay connected to others.
Access to home workouts.
Books on my shelves that have been waiting to be read.
Movies releasing digitally to occupy my stir-crazy toddler.
More time with my family.
More time working on my online business.
Seeing my husband crush it in e-learning, as a now stay-at-home teacher.
My online groups full of positive people working on their health despite all of the negativity and fear.
My newly organized pantry and master closet.
My list of recipes to be tried.
Our preschool hangouts via Zoom.
Online church service.
The daily devotional I can now spend more time with.
The wine at the end of a long day.
And so much more.
Because at the end of the day, when I look up, I don’t see a falling sky. I see night turning to day. Day turning to night. Clouds passing by. And I’m reminded that this, too, shall pass.
On the other side we will be stronger, closer, and more capable than ever.
Share with those you love.
xoxo,
Jenny Swisher, Founder of Body Electric and Creator of SYNC Online Course