It’s April 1, 2020. I live in New Jersey, 13 miles from New York City, the epicenter of the COVID 10 pandemic.
We are in our third week of social distancing, distance learning, online coaching, fear and calm, less and more. I have clients and dear friends who are doctors, working on the front lines of our new war. They have been afraid and calm, courageous and frustrated. They have shown up.
As a career and life coach, I have studied the importance of purpose in life. I know how important it is for a person — a child, an adult, all human beings and many other beings as well (think: working dog as an example), to feel like they are contributing to the greater good, something bigger than themselves. Having a meaningful impact.
During this time, my goal is to reach out more with my blog and newsletter (if you haven’t yet subscribed, please do). I want to share the trends I’m seeing with my clients, the lessons I’m learning from and with them. I will share the best research I can find on how to maintain and grow your mental health during this period. This will be my contribution during this time. I hope you find it useful.
Please reach out anytime if I can be of service, or if you’d like to set up an online coaching call. This is an important time and I am here. At this point, I am working exclusively as an online life coach.
Over the last week, three pieces of content were very helpful to me:
- Dr. David Weiss, at Cornell Weill Medical Center, recorded a call with what appears to be his family and friends. Dr. Weiss is exclusively treating Covid-19 patients in Manhattan now, and in this info session he shares his ideas for how to empower and protect your family during Covid-19. I found it reassuring and calming; his goal was to help us feel less afraid, which will ultimately help our ability to fight the virus.
- Tara Brach is a meditation teacher. She is featured on Calm (my favorite meditation app) and has been asked to lead mindfulness meditation to the US House of Representatives during the pandemic. She recorded the following talk on Facing Pandemic Fears with an Open Heart.
- Brene Brown has launched a new podcast. One of the first sessions is a 20 minute episode on Comparative Suffering, the 50/50 Myth and Settling the Ball. It is specifically speaking to this moment, at the beginning of the pandemic, and gives you actionable tools that will help you proactively inventory where you are, what you need, and how you can get your needs met.
As always, reach out, stay in touch. This is a difficult time and I am here for you.
Allison
