Grow New Patterns: Staying Human While Practicing Social Distancing

Have you thought recently about your patterns of behavior? We humans are creatures of habit. We find comfort in patterns of behavior. We have set patterns, from the stop at the coffee shop while heading to work to common greeting phrases. Some patterns and habits we don’t even notice, like our lack of awareness about touching our faces. We behave in joyful and lifegiving patterns of love, support, contribution, and connectivity, and we also participate in life-sucking (but real!) patterns of worry, fear, and isolation.

#COVID19 is interrupting our patterns, from social distancing, to millions of children at home, to fears about income. We are social beings. Even the introverts among us need connectivity (Introverts unite! Alone, in our homes!). Grounding in past patterns is necessary. New patterns can be a challenge, particularly when they are imposed upon us. It takes intentionality and commitment. A pattern of mine is to collect, aggregate, and share. I hope to contribute and develop community with you, in this, the first of my three-part series: Staying Human While Practicing Social Distancing Due to COVID19.

Honestly, I've had a fear of posting articles to LinkedIn. To shift my thinking, and therefore grow my patterns, a colleague encouraged me to stop sharing separate articles throughout my day. Why not use my superpower of collecting, aggregating, and organizing for the benefit of others by aggregating multiple articles I'm finding enlightening? I hope you enjoy this three-part series to help us develop new patterns and rest on some comfortable ones in the face of COVID19 social distancing. I’m also working to #grownewpatterns.

I’m happy to share these tips and resources for developing connectivity.

1.      Connect with people in new ways. Try a new video conferencing tool such as Zoom or Google Hangout. Search for virtual ways of connecting where you connected in-person previously. Commit to video meeting with your coworker; grab virtual coffee, lunch, or happy hour. It may be second nature or it may be awkward at first, but connecting virtually has great benefits when we can’t meet in person.

2.      Stay Informed by finding various aggregator and summarizer sources. For example, New York Times started the page Coronavirus Resources: Teaching, Learning and Thinking Critically and Vox posted 9 charts that explain the coronavirus pandemic. My friend Neil Carlson created this YouTube video and corresponding public Tableau data set that can help us stay informed. Look for new places to learn information; don’t just rely on one source. 

3.      Be intentional about your community. Check-in on your vulnerable neighbors, family, and friends. Sojourner posted Community Without Communing which I found encouraging. Ask local nonprofits how you can support them, buy items online from small businesses, and donate online even though that nonprofit fundraiser was canceled last week. I’ve offered my coaching services for free temporarily because I have solid income for the next four months. What gifts can you offer to others, in this time of uncertainty?

4.      Pay attention to and nurture your mental, emotional, and physical health. Maybe self-care and care for others, in all three of these areas of health, isn’t at the forefront of your mind daily. But it’s important to be intentional about your joy and bringing joy to others. Where do you find energy? Build a new pattern of intention: go outside, call a friend, visit a virtual museum or two, walk to a local park. It sounds like this won’t be over soon, so take care of your mental health in a time of uncertainty. Listen to music. Dance to your favorite song. Practice yoga. Meditate.

Yesterday I came upon the Stay at Home World Tour by Michael Franti, @MichaelFranti on Instagram. I got up, held our children’s hands, and danced and sang the song Say Hey I Love You in silliness and joy with them. We are working to #grownewpatterns.

I look forward to hearing your tips for Staying Human While Practicing Social Distancing by building new patterns of behavior during COVID19. 

If you have more questions about your process, or if I can help in any way, feel free to reach out at [email protected]. 

Grace, peace, and health to you friends,

Deanna Rolffs

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Deanna Rolffs, Senior Consultant with Design Group International, is a strategist, facilitator, coach, systems thinker, change agent and consultant. She has walked alongside leaders for more than fifteen years, the last ten focused on disrupting inequity in systems, organizations and ourselves. Having served as a Regional Director, Vice President and School Improvement Consultant, she supports leaders in tackling complex problems with transformational results.

To learn more about Design Group International and its work helping leaders and organizations transform for a vibrant future, visit https://designgroupinternational.com.