Physical distancing – yes! Social distancing – no!

I had many travel plans but instead I am staying at home – who knows for how long? Compared to those working from home and dealing with work stress and kids running around, I found myself with a lot of time on my hands and a certain feeling of isolation despite staying in touch with my dearest F&F

I do not want to underestimate seriousness of the whole situation but the first couple of days of the Swiss lockdown felt to me like a pleasant retreat, a welcome opportunity to slow down, as instead of catching three planes that week, I was staying at home and getting accustomed to the new reality, also relieved that I will not risk passing the virus to my parents and rest of my family in Lithuania, in case I would happen to be a healthy virus carrier

Going to a supermarket has become a stressful activity

After a few days the feeling of retreat was fading away. I was trying to explore the rising feeling of discomfort, to approach it positively as an opportunity to learn something new about myself, to see what gives me energy or depletes me of it. Result were mixed – the learnings were there but not the energy. Was I missing being outdoors and seeing the “real” people? Quick and nervous supermarket dropins were definitely not an energising experience. On the fifth day of the lockdown my boyfriend went with me for a walk to see the sunrise at Uetliberg, the closeby hill, while at the same time not exposing ourselves much. I came back with a decent amount of wild garlic for a pesto and some nettle for a soup, also happy to have exchanged a few “Grüezi” (“Hello”) from a safe distance with passers-by. I was so energized by this experience!

Finding the missing element: community

People distance themselves – not only physically. A fear can be read in the reserved and distancing body language, avoiding eye contact, few “hellos”, even from a safe distance. However sometimes, if exchanged, they seem to bring a larger smile than otherwise

A breakthrough and help for me to find some mental balance came with the email from Zurich Comedy Club, where I am not a member but happen to be on the mailing list after a few meetings attended. The email was announcing that the usual Monday evening meeting will take place, just this time online over Zoom. It was my first “going out to see people”! Connecting to this meeting and being part of a group energized me so much! I’ve realized that being part of a community was the missing element in my new reality

“Everything will be alright” – positive messages around help

From isolation to FOMO

So I’ve started to explore online options. I found plenty of online courses, audiobooks, virtual museums, concerts, theater… My head was starting to spin! I felt that I am missing out on all of those super-interesting things suddenly happening around!

So many things to do that were not available before online!

But then I’ve realized that not all of this is what I am looking for. I wanted some community feeling, so I’ve started to filter for live experiences or offers from people and companies with whom I already feel somehow connected. I’ve explored Facebook events, my mailbox including “junk” emails and websites of my favorite providers. I found wine tastings, cooking courses, dancing courses, meditation sessions – all online and live!

Traveling and hanging out in the neighborhood

Suddenly I can “travel” again to Sevilla where I’ve discovered Karmuka Yoga, yoga classes based on the alignment principles (a new concept for me!) and doing wonders for the aches and pains in my back and shoulders (not yet live but already with some videos on Facebook, in Spanish). Maybe soon I’ll “go” to the UK for the macrobiotic cooking courses that I wanted to do since long time. I hope also to “be” soon in Ireland as I’ve learned that Selina, a yoga instructor whom I’ve met in Sri Lanka, will be soon launching online classes too. I also enjoy “traveling” every evening to the US for a meditation session with Ten Percent Happier

Now I can “travel” online and stay plugged into the local reality of Zurich neighborhood at the same time. I’ve realized there are also easy ways to be part and support the local community, for example by eating my absolutely favorite ice cream from Rosso Arancio and chocolate from La Flor – isn’t this just wonderful? Or just going to the small shops in the neighborhood that are still open

Small businesses like Rosso Arancio, La Flor or a nearby café with a bakery corner, where the latter is now the main business, also a flower shop that is now a self-service flower stand (I regret that flowers are not on the list of the basic needs considered by the government – after all we need now more than ever things that make us smile and give some happiness) are just a few examples of small businesses fighting for survival

Little shops are very isolated as well… A box for cash and encouraging comments

Each purchase is a vote for their survival and returning back to normal as much as possible – the neighborhood will not be same without my favorite places if they go bust. I probably won’t be able to (or want to) eat unreasonable amount of sweets but maybe it would be an idea to surprise someone with an unexpected delivery?

Also words of encouragement, thumbs up, letting entrepreneurs and small businesses know that they are not alone seem to be more welcome than ever. It must be very hard for them to find strength and adapt themselves overnight to the new conditions with so many unknowns. That also goes for other local service providers such as sport coaches or yoga teachers. Besides encouraging them, for me as a consumer of those services, it might be an opportunity to express my preferences that could be considered in this still very moldable stage of the new business models