And just like that … we’re in Phase 2.
“Hooray!” said the multitudes in Pierce County. I’ve seen and heard lots of comments about people looking forward to going to restaurants, retail shopping in brick and mortar stores, and especially scheduling appointments for much needed haircuts and manicures. This also means that many of us are looking forward to getting back to our offices and places of business.
So as we prepare to return to work and some sense of normalcy, let’s keep in mind that although most of us were “in this together, we also were very much on our own for several months.
Depending on one’s age, income status, whether you had a partner or a family in the house ~ all have an impact on how you responded to the governor’s stay-at-home directive. For some, aside from being physically isolated from others, life changed little.
But other people have lost loved ones, their paychecks ~ and even their business. For many, their sense of security has evaporated. We’ve seen shake ups in our history and will undoubtedly see more. We all internalize things differently. The increase in stress and anxiety leads to depression, substance abuse and worse. Although many of us joke about our “Covid 19-pound diet,” eating out of boredom is telling how we chose to manage.
Even though many of us worked remotely from home, it was usually in loose, casual attire ~ foregoing our daily rituals of “getting dressed” for work. With that casual dress, one can’t help become a bit more laissez-faire.
As quickly as the state’s decision was to move into Phase 2, we shouldn’t expect everyone to snap back and become the same employer/employee they were before March 25.
There’s going to be a whole new set of rules and guidelines that businesses will be required to follow ~ and regardless if you or your staff think them too stringent or pointless ~ you’ll want to follow them or face the potential of your business getting shut down. So now we have these new stressors on top of what everyone is bringing back to
work.
I don’t know about you, but some people actually thrive when the universe shifts dramatically. Others, conversely, don’t fare well at all. None of us knows what to expect in the coming months – and probably longer. We’re all going to be anxious, maybe even depressed or angry.
Most of us are in a hurry to get back into a routine. For the sake and health of your business, I ask you consider practicing some basic skills rooted in stress management and self-compassion. Of course, eating right, exercising, keeping a routine and getting enough sleep are critical to strengthen your mind and your body.
Remember to help your employees and clients too. They must BE and FEEL physically safe. Tell and show them what precautions you’re taking. Ask them for ideas and suggestions on how to make them feel more protected from the virus.
Finally ~ please, please be mindful of how much time you spend – and the accuracy of the media you take in. We all know the more “news” and social media we ingest, the worse it is on our well-being and mental health. Sure, be aware of what’s going on – but don’t get caught up in a cycle of losing hours in your day.
Phase 2 is just the beginning. The uncertainty and trauma of the past few months isn’t behind us. Reopening with a whole new set of rules is going to be convoluted, expensive and time consuming. I wish I had a crystal ball to tell you that everything was going to work out for each and every one of us.
This much I can say … when we collectively work to support and reach out to each other, our businesses will flourish again ~ and our community will rally to come back stronger because we’re all going through this together. It’s what your Chamber does. It’s what we’re all about.
Linda Smith
President/CEO
Lakewood Chamber of Commerce