In the first three days of self-isolating, my girls had virtual Chinese lessons, virtual piano lessons, and virtual therapy sessions. All things they had never done that way before. Clients have shared stories of virtual happy hours, virtual board meetings, and virtual midday planks. People are replicating what they can online while also creating new ways to connect that they never thought of before.
Exploring the possible and impossible
There are so many things that are impossible right now. And at the same time, people are tapping into their creativity and innovation like never before. One person commented on the fact that their family is all over the country and hadn’t seen each other in many years, but suddenly they had arranged a family Facetime to all connect!
It’s a choice to focus on what is impossible or what is possible. And sometimes what is impossible is to do one more virtual meeting, and what is possible is to take a nap. That’s okay!
What’s possible and impossible for you each day? That’s up to you.
Returning to “normal”
A common theme that I’m hearing right now is a desire to get back to normal. The uncertainty of when things will be back to “normal” is one of the most difficult things to handle.
At the same time, there’s an acknowledgement that normal might never return. During our recent Social Distance Coaching: Take Charge of Your Quarantine, one participant said she was never very social, but she’s going to go to every event she can when this is all over. Another participant said her family has never eaten dinner so often together. She doesn’t want to lose that. Someone else said that her team members are being more honest and vulnerable. Everyone is seeing each other’s humanity, and that compassion has been a gift.
It might feel impossible right now, but eventually we will return to our offices, schools, coffee shops, churches, and baseball games. Until then, we will experience the good, the bad and everything in between.
Whatever feels impossible right now will be possible again! So in the meantime, lean into the creative side during this tough time to find what’s possible.
