Six Months of Pandemic

And other crazy things flying at us.

This week marks six months of living during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the week my teens go back to in-person school. It’s been weird and wonderful, with frustration and gratitude all at the same time. 

There are so many things I can tell you did NOT happen in this wonky six months:

  • I did NOT learn a new language.

  • I did NOT hustle.

  • I did NOT start running again as I intended. (The spirit was willing, but my knees were—quite literally—weak.)

  • I did NOT heap more onto my overflowing plate.

  • I did NOT help my kids start a business.

  • And I did my darndest to NOT feel guilty about any of it. #onlypartiallysuccessful

 
There’s been no shortage of strange things flying at us this year—economically, racially, politically, and pandemically. Are you inclined to hold out your hand or run in fear? Mastermind is back! by Michelle Clayton of Let Her Fly
 

Instead, I’m so grateful for all the things that DID happen:

  • I started my mornings slower, still getting up almost as early as before but spending more time reading before I sat down at my desk. #somuchreading
     

  • I finally discovered that, when it’s the right book, I enjoy listening to audio books because I can knit and “read” at the same time. #winwin

  • I continued working with amazing clients as they’re pivoting and growing their businesses. (I’ll share more of their fun projects in a future email.)

  • I backed off social media engagement so I had time to take care of my clients and family AND have time for vacation.

  • Our family spent time every week with our “cohort family” as we have no “actual” family nearby. They were a lifesaver, and I can’t imagine going through these months without them.

  • We hiked, camped, rock climbed (once!), spent days at cold mountain lakes, biked new paths, and spent more time than ever enjoying this breath-taking part of our country. #hellorockies
     

  • We even visited family in BC whom we hadn’t seen in a couple of years. #babysnuggles
     

  • We ate outside—A LOT!—so we pulled up, re-laid, and enlarged our brick patio to socialize outside more comfortably in the beautiful chairs my husband made.

 
kids watching ducks
on the ducky at Goat Pond
me and my favorite guy
girls at Wedge Pond
our "cohort family" after an awesome bike ride
looking out over Waterfowl Lakes
dads around the campfire
rockclimbing all the way to the top
the dreaded brick patio project
 

It wasn’t perfect, and that's ok. I still struggle with low-grade “mom guilt” even though my kiddos are pretty content hanging around the house while I work. The biggest bummer was my parents had to cancel their trip here from the U.S., but they are healthy and so, even in that, we’re grateful.

I think we can agree there’s been no shortage of strange things flying at us this year—economically, racially, politically, and pandemically (if that’s even a word).


And then there are literal birds.

 
IMG_3338.jpg
 

In early August, my family visited an indoor Butterfly Garden on Vancouver Island. The building was full of more than just butterflies: insects, turtles, flamingos, and parrots. As I walked past one parrot who was perched on a branch slightly above my head, I simply said, “Hey, pretty bird!” And he LOOKED at me, cocked his head, and started shimmying down the branch towards me. I was curious but also a little freaked out. It wasn’t a petting zoo, for crying out loud. No one else was walking around holding birds. 

Then he leaned in. It was obvious he was going to fly right at me and, since I was terrified he'd land in my hair, I turned my face away but held out my arm to give him an alternate landing spot. I may or may not have squealed like a little girl. It was crazy, and he was stunningly beautiful! 

A local woman passed me with her toddler and said, “I’ve tried to get that bird to come to me every time we’re here, and he never does!” I kept placing him back on his branch, but every time I came close enough, he flew back to me. I tried to hand him to my kids and husband, and he refused to go. He even tried to bite my husband! All I know was it was wildly entertaining and made me feel special—definitely worth the price of admission.

It would have been easier to dart away when I saw that crazy bird coming for me, but I would have missed the whole experience. 

There are more strange, unexpected things coming at us this year—kids headed (or already) back to school whether in-person or virtual, ever-changing rules and guidelines for our health, heart-breaking racial divide, an upcoming contentious election (US), and a looming non-confidence vote (Canada). And that doesn’t even begin to touch on all the personal challenges you and I are facing. 

What would it look like to hold out your hand instead of running away? Even if it’s wild and scary. Even if your chance of success is uncertain. When I look back over the past months, yes, it can feel like a dumpster fire. I’m not denying the crap you’ve been dealing with. But at the same time, there are so many lessons and so much to be grateful for. What’s possible if you held out your hand—to receive what’s coming, to help someone else who needs your support, or both?

Which is exactly why the doors to Marketing Mastermind are open again!

Marketing Mastermind is open

Consider this my outstretched hand to support you and your business alongside some of the smartest, most wonderful women you could ask for. 

Come be supported, motivated, and encouraged.

I’m excited to begin meeting again after a short Summer break. You’ll receive more specifics in the coming days, but rest assured this is the same Mastermind that has been meeting since December 2019. 

We begin again on Sept 15 and will meet every week for 3 months, ending just in time for Christmas holidays. You can read more details here. If you’ve been on the fence in the past, this is the last time the doors will open in 2020. 

Enrolment is by application only, and spaces are limited to ensure a high-touch, high-results experience for everyone. If you're interested, hop on a 20-minute Inquiry Call with me to see if this is the right fit.

I'd love for you to join us!