After my morning walk last week I turned on my local NPR station and this was the first thing I heard. A journalist was talking about how they have to figure out how they will report the Democratic primary during a time of social distancing and coronavirus. 

We’re all trying to figure it out. It’s been a roller-coaster of a month. And unfortunately, Mother Nature seems to have more in store as the novel coronavirus/COVID-19 continues to spread in our communities, and across the globe. 

To prevent its spread, public health officials agree: social distancing has become essential. That means we should limit our contact with people and avoid groups. Kids will be home from school. We’ll all be working remotely. But social distancing doesn’t mean our way of life is doomed. We just have to get creative.

Here’s how I will be getting creative:

I plan on continuing to build relationships. I’ll miss those coffee outings with colleagues, prospects, and clients. But I’ve got Free Conference Call and Google Hangouts, and a good pour over coffee maker. So I’m ready to schedule a virtual meeting with you if you want to talk about anything. Staying in contact and conversing with each other will be very helpful to our work and our mental states. Right now we don’t need more isolation, we need more connection. I was told I have a very interesting painting in the backdrop of my office, and it has an interesting story! Video chat with me and I’ll tell you more!

I plan on a daily yoga practice with my family, and to get outside every day. This is stressful. I know that yoga, movement, and fresh air keep me feeling good physically and mentally. And since my kiddo Nina won’t have daycare—which means she won’t have hours of running around with other kiddos—well then we need to run around together in our yard! Other outdoor activities I’m considering are birdwatching (the birds don’t seem to be phased by coronavirus) and weeding the yard (the weeds are never phased by anything). 

I keep going back to this post by Grant Oliphant, President of the Heinz Endowments. Particularly this statement: “A moment like this can rob us of our sense of agency and power. However, I would argue that the path forward is to realize that we do have power, even in the face of something that makes us feel incredibly small, and that it lies where it always has—in remembering that we are in this thing together and in finding ways to embrace our collective responsibility and accountability to each other. This is one truth of which I am absolutely certain: We will emerge stronger and better from the challenges of this time to the extent we remember what it truly means to be members of a local, national and global community.”

Work will shift in this time of uncertainty, and I’m here for you. We’re not really sure how and what the shift will be. I wanted to let you all know that if I can be of any help during this time, reach out. In my work as a graphic designer, specifically with nonprofits and foundations, I’m used to things shifting and changing quickly. I know that a lot of your events have been canceled, and you are working hard at re-envisioning how to hold events and to communicate with people. I want to keep the lines of communications open with you because I care about you and your team. Hold onto those you can. Reach out to those who need it. Continue building relationships. If this is teaching me anything, it’s that we are all in this together. You’re not alone.