Flourishing in the Time of Corona

We are just about two weeks into what is effectively a nationwide quarantine. Some state still have relaxed social and economic activity, while others are on full-on lock-down and coming to grips with the reality of pandemic level infections. This moment is truly historic and horrifying. As we all sit sheltered at home, we are watching the same worldwide crisis unfold. In no way should we take this moment lightly or let ourselves forget the gravity of the situation. However, that does not mean our responses or experiences can’t vary. Let us be fully aware that what is facing our nation will be difficult, and there are millions in life-altering situations from terrifying sickness to crippling economic poverty. While at the same time recognizing that, for some of us, having to stay home will be incredibly beneficial.

In no way should we be happy or even ok with what is going on, or treat it like a vacation from regular life. But you should also not feel guilty if shelter-in-place orders have allowed you to live your life in a healthier, more comfortable way. This is a difficult time for so many reasons, but for some of us it can be exactly what we need. For people who struggle with depression and anxiety, overwork themselves in daily life or face economic constraints that keep them from being home and pursuing their passion, this time can be a blessing.

For people who struggle just to hold themselves together, much less go to work every day and support themselves or their family, this time can act as a much needed respite. Isolation and anxiety can also be truly harmful for us struggling with depression. But if we can avoid those, this can also act as a time for self-healing, self-management and the organizing of our lives in a way that is good for us, not just that gets us by. This is a time in which we can establish some sense of consistency, and allow for self-care to come before basic survival. We have also seen, out of necessity, the availability of virtual mental health assistance or just remote engagement with social networks grow more than ever.

Not being able to see friends or family, go outside and get exercise or interact with the community can be detrimental for anybody, especially those struggling with depression. But in this frightening time we are actually finding new and innovative ways to do just that, and in many cases it is allowing for more connection and socialization than we had before, when leaving the house was requirement. For those battling depression or anxiety, having to go outside outside and interact with people face to face can shut down any prospect of social interaction. Or those who simply don’t have the time to socialize or money to go out to a show or bar. Now that all we need is a computer or phone with a camera and internet access (by no means to be taken for granted, more on that later) so many of us are hanging out and checking in with friends and family on a daily basis. This option was always available to us, but now that it is the only option we are realizing how emotionally and mentally gratifying it is to engage with our social networks in the comfort and safety of our own homes.

Likewise, the forced necessity of working from home has shown so many organizations and employees just how simple and achievable that really is. In so many cases employees who knew they could’ve been working from home this whole time, but were never allowed to, have been validated. Meetings and conferences and galas that were once time-consuming and expensive are now moving entirely to Zoom and Google, often to find how much more efficient that option really is. And workers who struggled to keep up with home maintenance, maintain relationships and spend quality time with their family are able to do all of that without sacrificing their work-life. Whether this trend will stay in place one quarantine is lifted remains to be seen, but at the very least we’ve proven just how much work can be done remotely or from home at least part-time. If we can encourage employers to take this lesson, we could see a movement towards a healthier workforce, with greater respect for family leave and vacation.

Now that does not account for the millions who are now out of work due to this quarantine. I am one of those millions, whose jobs depend on a thriving service industry, small business economy and manual labor. I also recognize my privilege in being able to be out of work for an indefinite period of time, and be able to support myself with savings and remote work. Above all else this crisis has shown us just how fragile the middle-class really is, and how essential to our entire economy. It show that the slightest imbalance, not just on a nationwide level, but on personal levels, and push so many of us into poverty and financial insecurity, and that our social safety net is woefully insufficient for the majority of the country.

For those of us who remain out of work, but self-sufficient and hopeful for some kind of assistance and a return to work in the future, this time can truly be a blessing. The passion economy is a siren’s call for so many of us in the service industry, which has gone into a forced hibernation. And in this moment we realize just how much more flexible and productive our lives could be, if we had the time to engage in that economy. By definition, not everybody can be writers and podcasters and artists, or we all could, but it couldn’t be everybody’s day job. But we should all at least get an equal opportunity to achieve those dreams. Now there is at least time, for those of us who have the security and will, to put in real work towards those passions.

Let us not look away from the real tragedy happening before our eyes. But let us also take care of ourselves, and not waste this moment. I for one will be using much of my free time trying to understand what we are going through, and helping others understand it as well. That will help me cope and hopefully help me get by. But I will also spend it trying to understand myself better, and trying to design a life that can allow me to flourish in the future, once this is all over, but everything is still changed. We will certainly be seeing a massive shift in the economy, culture and politics after this moment. We will get through it, we will recover, but we will all be changed. Just maybe, if we can let ourselves use this time for our benefit, things can change for the better.