A Forced Simplified Life

No one could have predicted that in 2020, the entire human race would be affected in some way or another by a global pandemic. #Covid19 has shaken our daily lives, our incomes, and our perspectives. Many of us are now realizing that we are managing well without the things we thought we needed. Or we no longer need the things we once did. (*side note, the photo below is not me, it's courtesy of Bronze Age).

As strange as this might sound, in some ways, I am enjoying what gifts Covid-19 has brought us. I don't want to sound naive...I fully understand the gravity of the situation and how there are SO many terrible aspects as well. But if we can just take a moment to appreciate what is positive as a result of Covid-19, we will be in a much better mental state.

Human Connection

Now, more than ever, I am experiencing more frequent check ins and Facetime, Zoom, or HouseParty hangs with friends and loved ones. It's not quite the same as having dinner together, but everyone is more available to chat without the hustle and bustle of our former regular lives.

We live in a townhouse complex and have the most amazing neighbours. Whenever anyone does a store run, we ask if anyone in the complex needs anything and drop it off at each other's doors. It has bee amazingly helpful and has bonded our little community more than ever.

I don't want to lose sight of the importance of looking out for your neighbours. There have been studies of USA military who have extremely high rates of depression only after they come home to the US from being in the middle of a war...not while they were at war. Suicide rates are at an all-time high (pre-Covid). When the troops are at war or on a mission, they are constantly among their peers who are watching out for them and care for them. They travel in packs, bunk together, work out together. When they return to the US, society in general has turned into such that you likely don't know your neighbours names within the next 2-5 units or homes beside yours. The take away from this, is that we may be helping others more than we realize just by acknowledging them, getting to know them by name and offering to be of service you ever see an opportunity. A probably side effect could be your own happiness!

Creativity

Covid-19 has brought a need for economic survival like never before. In this time, some businesses are thriving, while creatively maintaining their clientele and community. I am loving the live workout classes on social media that later turned into paid Zoom classes (clever!). I have seen restaurants offering extra bonuses with their take out like a Bellini kit for your blender.

My friend, Sara, is a real estate agent in Vancouver and during the down time her industry is experiencing, she has partnered with a distillery to make hand sanitizer for her clients and friends. She spent a day or two dropping them off at their homes along with some gorgeous tulips. It made the day of so many people and turned into a lot of Instagram stories from what I saw! Also, she hosted an interactive Instagram Live chat with a mortgage broker she partnered with, which was both very informative and fun to watch.

Another local company out of the Vancouver, Canada area, Coe112 has adjusted to the social distanced marketplace by delivering beautiful, well-curated, bouquets of eucalyptus, bunny tails, among other gorgeous flora. They are perfect for quarantine because you can enjoy in your home and shower. What a fabulous Mother's Day gift (hint, hint!).

Bronze Age quickly shifted gears to include the most fashionable Covid-19 masks I have ever seen to their assortment. Owner Renee Power, quickly found a way to produce them locally and safely. It's a perfect compliment to the designer's other fabulous accessories, which include responsibly sourced Moroccan slippers and statement silk hair scrunchies.

The out-of-the-box thinking generated as a result of this pandemic and quarantined life will change the way we look at business forever. I am welcoming this shake up with open arms and have a special fondness for the most creative businesses!

"Boredom always precedes a period of great creativity." Robert M. Pirsig

Personal Finances

Since the outbreak of #Covid19, have you have looked at your financials more closely? Maybe out of necessity because your income has been reduced or out of preparation for the "what ifs"? It's certainly a good thing if we are evaluating what actually determines our needs versus wants. Even though I was living pretty lean prior to Covid-19, it made me look at the current situation and what we could do without at this time. For example, we aren't spending money on gas or travel, so for now, we can save that money.

How could we get even leaner with what we're spending on? My husband can't go to the barber right now, so he thought he would try out a shaved head again and bought himself a grooming kit online. It saves him $30/month and maybe he will maintain this savings going forward. And for you fellow finance nerds, the payback period on his grooming kit will only be 2 months. ;)

We will all be in a better position coming out of this, to determine what is really essential to our lives. When you're financially stable or comfortable, of course we can add things back if we really want, but I believe we will see the wants through a different lens.

Environmental Impacts

Greenhouse gas emissions globally are much lower as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. We are saving emissions on travel in general including flights and the commutes to work. Keeping this in mind, as the economy reopens, let's ask ourselves how we can minimize our impact on the climate and environment going forward. The largest hole in the Arctic ozone layer has been reported as closed! Let's keep it that way, people! Can you work from home even a few days a week now that your company has established operations differently? Could you use Zoom for your meeting instead of flying to LA or NYC for the day?

Most of us have experienced bare shelves at the grocery store during this pandemic. There have been a few times I have not been able to make some of the recipes I planned when I couldn't find what I needed at the local grocery store or delivery service. So, I had to get creative with what was in our cupboards and made meals out of what was available. I would like to believe that we can all learn a lesson or two about food waste and treating it as a scarce commodity. The value and impact that will have for our environment is massive, from all angles: emissions, water waste and plastic production. Let's all keep this top of mind from now on.

More Time

#stayathome has got us working from the comfort of our homes and enjoying the ultimate in luxurious commuting. You know...the one from your bed / kitchen (depending on your morning routine) to your desk. I am currently a stay-at-home-mom (on maternity leave), but my husband is working from home and it has made a big difference in the amount of time we can spend together as a family. Even if it's just having lunch together or going for a walk in the middle of the day. It would be ideal if my husband and I could both work from home at least 1-2 days a week once offices are reopened.

Another big time saver for me has grocery delivery. I have been using a grocery delivery service even pre-covid and I'm a HUGE fan of the convenience (and money saving) it brings me. During Covid, the delivery service saves me the stress of trying to shop while social distancing - it can be hard to do! I will never go back to spending a full hour on the weekend in a busy grocery store for as long as I can avoid it.

What saves you time these days? What will you keep doing when this is all over? Leave a comment below or shoot me an email.