Lessons learned from an extrovert about how to “shelter-at-home”

Those who know me would say I’m an optimist, an extrovert and an early riser. I truly enjoy going into the office first thing to get a jump on the day. The requirement of social distancing goes against everything I enjoy, starting with being energized by people. We are now in week three of “stay-at- home” and surprisingly, it’s going well. Here’s what I’ve learned:

1.     Rely on your habits. It’s not a normal world in any sense, but maintaining consistency helps. For me that means shutting the alarm off at 5:30 am, taking a shower, getting dressed and going outside for a walk. Then I can settle in and have a productive work day.

2.     Stay in touch. Check in right away with your team daily. Make it a point to call family members. Connect online with friends. Reach out to older neighbors and those who live alone to see how you can help them.

3.     Do something kind. It’s scary right now, but taking control of what you can do helps. Send a card to say hello to someone, wave to the jogger you pass on your morning walk, or share extra supplies to save someone a drive to the grocery store.

4.     Practice patience. This is not my strong suit. As days stretch into weeks, reality is sinking in. It’s time to focus on the greater good. If your mind can operate from that space, you have the right context to continue to thrive.

5.     Be grateful. Think about what you have to be thankful for and take the time to reflect on it. It could be the sun coming in the window of your home office, an excellent home-cooked meal, or your health. Start and end your day reflecting on these positives.

While I miss my old way of life, I’m becoming more comfortable with this new, quieter daily routine. Check back with me in another two weeks to see how I’m doing. Maybe I will have ventured into meditation — most likely this extrovert will never get to that level.

Stay safe. Stay healthy.