COVID-lining was a term introduced to me several months back by a colleague at Barton Malow. It’s a nod to the term silver lining, which is defined as a sign of hope or a positive aspect in an otherwise negative situation.
As 2020 ends, it’s hard not to reflect on the negative aspects in a year packed with a pandemic, division, and loss. As someone who likes to plan, I found it hard to look forward given the high level of uncertainty around us—not to mention the constant barrage of differing opinions. I think it’s safe to say that none of us thought this was how 2020 would go. While it’s easy to focus on all of the negative aspects of 2020 and the effects of the pandemic, I would encourage you to look at the last nine months and find your COVID-linings.
For me, they came in the form of:
- More quality time with my husband
- Getting two new puppies
- Enjoying our new home we completed in August 2019
- Friday Night Virtual Bingo Parties with my family
- Working on my front porch in the summertime
- Trying new and courageous recipes
- Taking two massive road trips to explore extraordinary parts of our country
On a daily basis, I remind myself that I’m doing things I wouldn’t be able to do in my “normal” life, and in that alone, I can see the COVID-lining.
So what have these COVID-linings taught me? To enjoy this time rather than loathe it—I will admit that’s how I felt initially as I maneuvered through endless Zoom meetings. They’ve taught me to be more creative than I ever thought possible—let’s talk about leading communications during a pandemic! They’ve taught me that each day should be cherished through the simplest of pleasures, like playing cards after dinner with my husband. And they’ve taught me that I’m more resilient than ever imaginable.
While we cannot predict the future or when the pandemic will be over, we do have the power to control how we respond to the situation. At times, I’ve thought about going back to normal and find that I immediately begin missing aspects my work-from-home life…and it’s not even over yet. In this, I realize that my COVID-linings are new traditions and have brought about calmness these last nine months. My most recent realization is that shifting back to normal is not where I want to go, and for me, that’s the ultimate COVID-lining.
As we venture into 2021, new challenges will arise, and we will continue to find ourselves in uncomfortable situations. At some point, we’ll begin to experience aspects of our former lives again, and our new normals will emerge. I hope we don’t forget or take for granted all we have learned during this time.
I wish all of you peace, joy, and blessings this holiday season and always.
Happy Holidays, SMPS Friends!
Dana
Article written by SMPS Board Member Dana Lancour, FSMPS, CPSM.
