Changing Expectations

It is rare to come face-to-face with circumstances unlike anything you've seen before. Normally, the novelty of an experience is built upon something familiar, something you've witnessed. Right now, as COVID-19 is basically the only topic of discussion and sole thing on our minds 95+% of the time, that is not the case. This is unprecedented, so adjusting is far more difficult.

Right now is a time in which we need to reset expectations and redefine what success looks like. And the answer is, at its core, very succinct. To paraphrase a statement from the film The Last of the Mohicans, "Just stay alive." Simply getting through this time that feels apocalyptic, in a way only previously seen on shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, will, without any additional work, make you stronger.

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If you're like me and want to continue growing and evolving during this time, you will need to change the ways in which you focus on making progress. If you structure your evenings around deep conversations at happy hours or your weekends around morning SoulCycle followed by a few hours in a bookstore cafe writing and reading, you will need to learn to make substitutions.

The Cut recently published an article " Just Give In to Alison Roman" about the cookbook author's refreshingly honest way of communicating, in addition to her unfussy recipes and how they are a helpful outlet, especially in this time. In the piece, Molly Fischer writes, "At least a recipe offers the solace of a plan. Follow the steps, measure carefully, and even the worst failures are minor and contained." So, in that spirit, I'm outlining my recommended substitutions in your day-to-day routine as ingredient swaps the way one would for a recipe.

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Original Ingredient: In-person conversations

Recommended Substitution: Video calls

In the past couple weeks, I've had a chance to be in even more contact with people I care about. I would personally recommend Google Hangouts or Duo for video calls, but a quick Google search on video call platforms will give you numerous options.

Just because you don't have to leave your house to have the call, I would highly recommend mixing in some happy hours over video call, as this also gives you a good chance to order delivery from a local business and support them in this rough time. In the Seattle area, alcohol can even be delivered, so see if that's the case in your town, too.

Original Ingredient: Workout (SoulCycle) classes

Recommended Substitution: At-home (or outdoors) workouts

After trying a number of options, I have gravitated towards the workouts on Instagram Live by amazing SoulCycle instructors, including jennasoul@, vickisecretss@, and aprileaton@.

Original Ingredient: Supporting businesses in person

Recommended Substitution: Supporting businesses online

Many restaurants have take-out or delivery options, and you might be surprised to discover your favorite bookstore allows for online orders. If that's not the case and you still want to help out, see if buying gift cards is an available option.

Original Ingredient: Fast-paced, external progress

Recommended Substitution: Slow-paced, inward-facing progress

If you have the bandwidth (and if you don't, see above statement about just surviving), this is a good chance to learn something new. I've been working on expanding my understanding of cooking and mixology, in addition to using this moment in which I'm spending considerably more time at home to finally get around to small tasks I kept putting off.

Bon Appetit and Binging with Babish are my go-to's for cooking videos, and I'm eagerly awaiting an order from Elliot Bay Book Company in Seattle of Alison Roman's Nothing Fancy cookbook that I've heard so much about.

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As has become my parting phrase of the moment, sending you positive vibes in these strange times.