WEST Wisdom Blog

Digital social: Developing community & self while social distancing

Posted by Diana K. Anderson on Mar 23, 2020 1:32:27 PM
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Image by Diana K. Anderson; Uses Unsplash images by NASA and Fabrizio Chiagano

If you’re fortunate enough to be at home with work and paycheck, your health and the essentials. If you’re beyond the basics, then you’re focusing on adapting to the new, rapidly evolving 'normal'. 

How?

Go digital to keep resources and social rhythms flowing, locally and globally.

By taking things that, a few weeks ago, were considered mainly brick-and-mortar, IRL experiences, and engaging digitally. Regardless of timeline or eventual outcome, going digital whenever possible is one of the few approaches that won’t compromise the work and well-being of health care and essential service providers, and their families.

So, use Spotify to listen to the new tracks by the Weeknd. Go to streaming yoga with your favorite teacher. 

If you have not been called on to assist with health and essential services, then help keep their paths clear. Cultivate community and self digitally. Support teachers and artists and friends. Support yourself and your family. 

Double dip on endorphins

Invest in your community—local & global— and your own development. Here are a few examples of virtuous digital cycles:

  • Streaming yoga classes led by your best friend from school who lives on the other side of the country
  • No-equipment, home workout apps with constant fresh content
  • Learn a new language through an e-course or an international Netflix binge
  • On Friday, March 20th 2020, Bandcamp waived their revenue share on all sales, passing them directly onto musicians

Digital socialization is the other half of social distancing

Nobody’s trying to say it’s a substitute for the real-world. But it is how we can make this new ‘normal’ both as do-able and as short as possible. Definition of ‘short’ TBD.

Now is the time to invest in yourself, body and mind. Learning something. Polish an old interest or skill. Read great fiction. Take an e-course. There are free coding courses galore. Cooking classes. Personal and professional development.  

Join WEST on April 1st for a webinar on how to get and maximize your seat at the table useful purposeful communication led by Kim Meninger. 

Click here to learn more about WEST’s upcoming events, including webinars and online gatherings.

 

Topics: Women in STEM, Influence, Digitial, Developing Your Skills, Challenges, Career Development, Career Possibilities, Influence Without Authority, Outreach, #WESTevent, Change Management, #WESTorg, Women in Business, Be Fearless, Be Brave

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