Dose of Optimism #17

What’s the playbook?

As much hardship as staying at home over the past several weeks has created, at least the rules were simple – just stay at home. But now, as state after state are lifting shelter-in-place orders and are slowly opening up for business, the question is – what comes next?

What are we SUPPOSED to do?

Well, amidst all the guidelines and advisories that are being issued by a seemingly endless amount of government agencies, there isn’t really a clear playbook. Sure there are some common-sense rules – wear a mask, stay six feet apart, and avoid large crowds. We get those pretty clearly (or at least most of us do).  But what about going out to stores and restaurants again. Can we do that? Or hang out in small social groups? What about traveling? Do I still need to wipe down my groceries?  Can I get my hair done if we both wear masks?

When you go from simple binary choices (stay home/don’t stay at home) to a myriad of decisions that need to be made on a daily basis, it’s hard not to become overwhelmed. The paradox of choice, especially at a time of ambiguous information, can be challenging in the most certain of times. But now as we navigate these unchartered waters of a modern pandemic, it’s hard not to just want to be handed a playbook.

But there is no playbook. We will need to create one, for ourselves, our families, our businesses and our communities.

So how to create a playbook filled with intentionality and optimism?  Be informed (of news from reliable sources), patient (with yourself and others), and aware (of how YOU honestly feel about the risks we’re all facing). Then we will need to have honest conversations with the people around us, first with our families and friends and then with larger circles of coworkers and acquaintances. And we are also going to have to speak up and be advocates in our communities – leading by example, but also being civically engaged in the decisions that are made about our community’s health.  

By being intentional in the choices we make we can regain some control of our lives and our intentions. We can start to feel more comfortable in the environments we are in. And hopefully… we can get closer to our new normal.

So be an optimist and start making your personal playbook… it’s one decision totally within your control to make.