What being part of the COVID-19 diaspora has taught me
A year ago today, on March 25, 2020, I left NYC thinking I’d be back in a few months later.
Little did I know that would be the last time I’d step on a plane for awhile.
Like many people, I thought we would have the pandemic under control, slow the spread and that “work from home” would be temporary and we would be back in the office in a “few weeks.”
A few weeks became months and eventually indefinitely.
Once it became clear that this situation wasn’t going to resolved quickly, I effectively became part of the COVID-19 diaspora.
Here’s what being part of the COVID-19 diaspora has taught me:
“Home” is no longer a singular place
In reflecting back at this past year, there’s no place I’d rather be but at home. But home is no longer a singular place.
I will always be a die-hard Californian but after living in New York City for 10 years, it also became a “home” in a different way.
I’ve grown in ways I never imagined both personally and professionally during my time in NYC. NYC became the home for my highest aspirations and challenged me to get outside my comfort zone.
Whenever I need that extra push, I tap that NYC mindset to push through and move forward. NYC is always going to be with me, regardless if I’m there physically or not.
Time is community
The running questions this past year has been, “What day is it?”
Time has a funny way of both speeding up and slowing down all at the same time.
It is also a non-renewable resource. So even fleeting moments count now more than ever.
The time spent with my family this past year can never be replaced and I’m so glad I have this time with them. I’m not sure I would have otherwise.
During this time I’ve found a communities I most likely would not have crossed paths with — making even a more meaningful connection when the time comes — we’ll all be able to connect in person.
Travel is more than a destination
There was a time where I was traveling every month, getting on a plane and going to a conference or traveling for work. It was exhausting but even the movement from one place to another offered a type of excitement you don’t get by just staying put.
COVID-19 changed all of that. When traditional “travel” — whether for business or pleasure was halted, what is travel then?
Travel is more than a destination. It’s the experience of traversing several spaces that is the true spirit of travel — the journey.
Being back home in my home state for now, travel now can mean going on a grocery run or errand. What was considered a commute, is now a trip, a highlight.
I’m discovering and rediscovering many places closer to home that I wouldn’t have otherwise. Even a few days away from home puts things in perspective.
Before COVID-19, I took many things for granted. Now every moment is an adventure and opportunity.
Under this dark cloud we’ve all endured, there are threads of hope and anticipation that we’ll be together again in real life.
Until then, each day is an opportunity to learn and challenge, to process and feel — everything that it means to be human.
