Wow! Was my first reaction when the Coronavirus really came to kick us all in the butt…..
Then it was OK, we got this; we can only control what we can control… So let’s focus on what we can.
This has been & is a pivot point for many. I know & understand there is going to be a grieving process through out this whole once in a life time pandemic— from missed Birthdays, Graduations,Funerals & so much more then the big things….. the list really is endless when you think about all the things you took for granted in your daily day, including reply simple things like coffee dates or wing nights! What we have come know MORE than anything at our house is we LOVE our people, we love our family & friends and can’t wait to connect with them in person— on more than a Facetime or Zoom! ( although I can’t say enough HOW THANKFUL I am for Technology ) WE are created to be communal & to connect with people.
In the past I have often been so jealous of the way the Europeans spend time together over food & wine, enjoying, talking, laughing, sharing! Corona has given us time…… time to cook, time to laugh, time to hear the words of the songs playing in the background, time to evaluate what really matters in life, & what we want in the next phase.
This has been one our family highlights of the Corona- enjoying time over food, in our home taking the time to prepare &enjoy it! I love a full house and entertaining so yes I can’t wait to have time with extended family & friends, but this has taught me to slow down, live in the moment and be present— it is not always more— it is quality time!
I’ve been hour by hour watching all the people around me pivot, including my kids who unbeknownst to them had their last day of school on March 13 & like so many more around the Country & world watched the news on Sunday March 15 in the evening & we’re told school was cancelled- this is a FIRST!!
Now I have kids that are in very manageable grades… and are quite self sufficient. They’re older, they love school, & we are not one of the families who has a grad missing grad, or a little kindergartener who really needs the social interaction & support of school.
But I will say our kids are social creatures, it’s what we created for them, so I’m so thankful for technology and the ability to FaceTime, use Google classroom & so many more apps that are allowing them to still be schooled & participate in learning!
I would really like to take the time to applaud the teachers, the support staff the, principles & the administrators who stepped up & made this as seamless as possible for the kids! You are true heroes! I know who much you love the kids & my heart breaks for you who had to pack uo classrooms & know that their are kids who are at home….. & they may not be safe…. as always I am THANKFUL for our EDUCATORS!
Then there’s all of the people who all of a sudden had move their offices home & work with their kids & spouses at home, working with limited Internet, technology & so many other variables that are out of our control…. But You too like the kids have done it! You have pivoted!
So along with the rest of the world our business of REAL ESTATE has pivoted as well-We have navigated all of the things that COVID has called us to change, our business a PEOPLE based business has changed!!- We have been able to help people navigate through this whole process of buying & selling a home while maintaining social distancing & all of the safety regulations ensuring that no-one is put at risk.
Like many we have been judged through this process …. questions like “do people need to buy & sell through this time?….” the answer is YES- some people do, some clients already have contracts in place & they have to move – this is a blip in our lives- we need to pivot & change how we do thing not STOP!
This too shall pass & there are somethings that need to still happen! The Government of Alberta has trusted us with the privilege of being an Essential Service- trust that we do not take this lightly & have taken this very seriously we will not put anyone at risk. Thankful again to technology that allows us to facilitate so much of the transaction virtually.
I am a people person, so this is HARD- I miss my people fiercely… But I have loved being able to FaceTime with my clients to explain all of aspects of buying & selling.
Yes are we wearing masks, yes are we wearing gloves, yes we keep our distance, yes things taking longer, yes it’s been a little bit harder to make it all work….. but we’ve got this.
We’ve mastered how to navigate home inspections- thanks to amazing home inspectors that have gone extra measures & have extra safety gear. We have navigated new listing with the help of our amazing stagers who are willing to do virtual staging and send very compiled notes, helping the client be more that photo ready for pictures….. and then going live!
People are on their devices more than ever…. and yes, they are dreaming of different places top call home— They are allowed, this is called hope!
Everybody we got this!
If any of you have followed me in the past you know that I LOVE local & I love all of my fellow business owners. I am praying that they can make it through this! I have loved watching how they too have pivoted to make fun beauty bags, door drop offs videos showcasing what is in their store — so this is my challenge— SUPPORT LOCAL- don’t shop online, well do but make sure if you can you have reached out to YOUR LOCAL fav first to get what ever it is you might need….. or lets be honest WANT!— it is ok to want during these times! Remember we are stronger together & these business are what make our Communities what they are!
I know this is not easy but this too shall pass & I Encourage everyone to make a Corona diary, share your story, allow yourself to feel all of the things, all of the emotions- fear, anger, sadness, joy – this is a rollercoaster none of us have been on before but you no what… we are truly all in this together- so be kind, don’t judge how someone else is coping— extend kindness, pray more.
REMEMBER you are HOME— you are not missing anything- YOU are SAFE at HOME! So love where you live & create a safe place!
Enjoy the extra time, the slower pace, the simp things.
Cheers Christa