Silver Linings Playbook
“You got to look at the bright side, even if there ain’t one.”
No one thought that we would be here: a global pandemic that has literally shut the world down. Retail stores, businesses, bike and running trails - all closed; basketball rims removed from the hoops to discourage hooping; bars closed; restaurants only allowing pick-up and delivery options. Basically, it’s like when your mother told you, “Sit down somewhere, don’t touch nothing, don’t look at nothing, don’t even think about nothing!”
Crazy part is that not everyone is convinced this is real. Or they are, but still don’t care to listen, which is making matters worse for everyone else. Some people are still throwing parties and folks are actually attending. Come on, man. Why not do what we need to do so we can get out of quarantine sooner? But I digress. That is a rabbithole I don’t want to go down right now.
What I do want to speak on though are the unexpected silver linings of the quarantine. Fortunately, everything has not been all bad. Me being the eternal optimist - I try to focus on things that help push me through. I’m going to explain in detail, but the positives mainly center around being present and more purposeful about our actions and our connections with ourselves and others.
The glaring positive effect that stems from COVID and the quarantine is the power of Zoom calls, the many facetime apps and virtual interactions in general. Zoom became the overnight favorite app for businesses and group chats alike. There isn’t a firm or company that hasn’t implemented a Zoom happy hour or virtual call in their weekly (and sometimes daily) routine in order to resemble some sense of the old normal in these turbulent times. We’re a little over eight weeks into the quarantine and I’m sure I’ve had more Zoom calls during quarantine than in my entire professional career. While it can seem annoying sometimes, it really is a great way to stay connected and get that much needed face time with our colleagues, family and friends.
The pandemic has also (and rightfully so) increased our sensitivity and awareness of relationships with our loved ones - and although it doesn’t come from a good reason - I love the outcome of it. It has created a sense of urgency to ensure that our loved ones are doing well and staying safe. Sad it had to be COVID, but maybe this is just what the doctor ordered for changing our practices with maintaining communication with friends and family. I am pretty close with my immediate family, but don’t live in the same state anymore. So the virtual check-ins and calls are so much more important now, especially when one string of bad luck has the potential to affect the entire family. Now more than ever families must come together to be stronger mentally, if anything. The concerted effort from everyone to ensure each other’s safety and sanity as we endure the quarantine is paramount.
The most important silver lining has been the emphasis of mental health and stability.
Not only have families and close friends become closer, but the world as a whole has as well. Personally, I think a reverse-social media effect has occurred. Let me explain - as much as social media was meant to connect people, it has also separated people in certain respects. For example, think of the last get-together you attended, or any gathering of folks within the past few years. It was normal for the group to be in the same room and everyone on their phones: responding to texts, browsing social media, shopping, etc. COVID has had a reverse effect. Now you can’t walk down the street without crossing the street or maneuvering around others to keep the safe social distance of six feet. But as we social-distance physically, we connect via social media so much more and this has produced many different events. My favorite being #Verzuz, the friendly IG competition for mega-producers and artists, created by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland. Since we won’t be going to concerts any time soon, they brought the concert to us for free 99 and without having to leave the house. Win-win! Examples like this are rampant throughout many industries and it has created a lane for experienced professionals to effectively share their expertise with a far greater reach than before.
Finally, the most important silver lining has been the emphasis of mental health and stability. If there was ever a time to hit a big reset in your life it would be now. That reset can come in many forms. I don’t want to be the person who tells you that you should be starting that business or investing out of nowhere just because. If you are willing and able to do either of those things, great for you! But if you have been working non-stop for God knows how long or you never have enough time to take care of yourself and what YOU need, THIS is your moment. Spend it how YOU want to, whether that’s catching up on all the shows you wanted to binge, reading a book or simply listening to music all day while doing mindless tasks. Do you! The quarantine has inadvertently given us the opportunity to self-care a little bit more and work on building and maintaining a better sense of personal mental health. I have used this time to do a myriad of things: I’ve worked on backtoBLACK, I bought a camera and took on photography - which has become a slight hobby as well as help produce more content - and I bought a bike to start a new form of exercise (plus I’ve been wanting a bike for literal years at this point). Some days all I do is watch Netflix while others I am super productive with my creative efforts, journaling, riding and anything else that comes up in the never-ending list of to-do’s.
Point is I spend my time how I want. And I encourage you to do the same. In these times especially, I implore folks to do whatever makes them happy. Hopefully this time in isolation can foster better care for ourselves and our families and we come out better on the other side.
I recently listened to Kendrick Lamar’s “Damn.” again and his quote just about sums up my feelings about this time we’re in:
“Life is one funny MF”
Stay safe and well. Till next time.
