Morning Coffees, Evening Walks, and Nonstop Cuddles: Our Community Talks Pandemic Silver Linings
2020 was hard. Like really hard. And terrible. And scary. We lost a lot of people. We lost jobs. Our children lost their safe spaces and their communities. No, the pandemic was, and still is, total sh*t. But this Mother’s Day, we’re looking towards the light and celebrating the silver linings that came out of life in quarantine. The extra snuggles, the nightly dinners, the moments with our babes we’ll never get back – the surprising joys that emerged as a result of being together 24/7. Maybe it made us realize what’s actually important, or what we gained by slowing down and celebrating smaller moments in the absence of big ones. Whatever it was, life in the Q made us question how we want to live post-Covid-19, and the rituals we’ll take with us for a long time to come.
Kickin’ It at Home
For many of us, our homes doubled as work/life/childcare/school. And, while it was certainly a challenge, we got to settle into where we live (and who we live with) in a way more intimate way.
“It took a pandemic to learn how to sit down and enjoy my home with everyone in it. And not to worry about what other people want and just what’s best for me and my family.” –Raquel Horn, entrepreneur
“Ruby was three months when the pandemic happened, and dad and I were unexpectedly lucky to catch all of her firsts at home. First bite of food, first giggle, first steps, we were together for them! – Laura Scott, model
“The pandemic forced us to slow down and explore our LA neighborhood through daily walks. My husband and I now take our daughter and dog on a stroll everyday during sunset. It has been a wonderful way to decompress.” – Joy Chua-Schwartz, brand development, Ritual
“With my husband working from home, we had more time to enjoy being a family. Now that he’s back in the office, we keep up routines we started last year, like going out for an evening walk in the park!” – Abby Cannon, founder of Abby’s Food Court
“I was supposed to go back to work from maternity leave the week New York shut down, so I’ve gotten to be home with my daughter for her entire life. I’ve been lucky to get to spend so much time with her.” – Emma Beryl, interior designer
“The extra time spent with my boys was such a special treat that I don’t think I’ll ever get again. With my job, I’m always out and about, but quarantine gave me a chance to get some extra moments with my family.” -Hillary Matt, interior designer
“Small things like walks on the beach, family meals and cuddles have that much more meaning (especially before the new bebe comes)! Definitely the silver lining of 2020.” – Juliette Caspi, co-founder, Caspi & Clarke
“Although this last year has been hard, I couldn’t be more grateful for the time I’ve had at home during this new season of becoming a first-time mom. It forced me to embrace being pregnant and then being fully present with my little one.” – Sami Weaver, photographer
24/7 Hanging With the Fam’
It wasn’t always easy – actually it was never easy – but through nonstop togetherness, we rediscovered the safety and love that comes with family.
“2020 helped me to realize that life is in the moments of togetherness. No matter where we go, having my little family with me just feels like home.” – Brandy Gueary, influencer
“Because two things can be true, navigating life in 2020 was both challenging yet rewarding. My most challenging year reaped my greatest reward, our son has been our silver lining through it all.” – Natasha Betty, blogger
“My silver lining of this past year was building such a beautiful relationship with my son. We both had no choice, but wouldn’t choose differently if we could.” – Cayden Naughton, influencer
“2020 opened my eyes to a world of calm, cuddle-filled mornings, work lunch breaks spent giggling with my girls, and weekends with the fam ordering in.” – Christine Bullock, founder of Kayo Body Care
After relocating upstate, I had to leave behind my OB but was able to deliver my son with a midwife at a birthing center, which I hadn’t imagined for myself. I’m so grateful for the unexpected care I received and for having my husband by my side every minute of my third and “fourth” trimester. – Jeannie Yoo, president at Adam Lippes
Quarantine gave my family a remarkable time together that we would never have had under normal circumstances. That said, fresh air, open spaces and much needed alone time saved my sanity! It allowed me to gain perspective and remain motivated to create! – Julie Knisley, founder of Milk Street Baby
Slowing Down (Like, Way Down)
In the absence of work commutes, dinner plans and weekend trips, 2020 showed us what we were missing amidst the hustle and bustle of the “before times.”
“I realize now how quickly I was moving through life from one thing to the next without stopping to breathe and take it all in. To really slow down and be reminded of what really matters was a true silver lining….I hope to hold onto a slower pace and more intention with everything I do.” – Annie Lawless, ceo of Lawless Beauty
“Hitting pause on in-person meetings allowed me to focus and accomplish more each day. Of course, more time spent at home on zoom meetings meant more time with my baby. She is the best little assistant.” – Ashleigh Stone, founder of Poolside
“Learning to embrace new forms of wellness definitions and practices and make them part of my routine.” – Lacey Tisch, founder of Sage & Sound
“2020 taught me that life could, in fact, be slow. The list can wait, but time with my daughter shouldn’t have to.” – Mailee Barkdull, founder of Hazel Knots
“After two years of squeezing in IVF rounds between work trips, maybe what we needed was to be still for a moment (being locked in a house for months together didn’t hurt either!). Quarantine gave us the most special silver lining: a baby girl coming in June.” – Noora Raj Brown, svp communications and brand marketing, Goop
Embracing the Little Things
2020 introduced us to Zoom dinners with friends, morning dance parties and the thrill of a growing houseplant. Little moments of magic that gave way to life’s biggest joys.
“Having a full day while being present for my kids felt like a revolving door of resistance but behind those challenges were all the memorable moments spent together while sharing every moment and milestone of the last year as a family.” – Roma Patel, ceo of Tejari & Co.
“The last year taught me to live the little things. When life slows down you get to soak it all in. Now that Nomi’s here, I have a newfound appreciation for this pace of life with our sweet little nugget.” Chelsea Coffey Creavalle, M.S., author
“My silver lining has been the forced reassessment of what brings me joy. The slow down of day-to-day life brought me a fresh perspective, allowing me to choose to continue those things that bring me joy and leave behind the things that don’t. I hope to continue this into 2021 and beyond! – Mallory Mascoli, co-founder of Hope & Plum
“Having a baby changed my life, but having a baby during a pandemic turned my entire world upside down. In 2020 I found joy in intimate virtual dinners with friends that live across the country. We will continue to do those virtual meals moving forward so they can get to know my son!” – Ella Hall, founder of Stitchroom
“When all the little things became the big things – dancing in the kitchen with the music turned up loud, every conversation with my five year old that I otherwise would have missed while driving to and from work meetings, and finally being able to conceive after 3+ years of trying.” – Kloe Colacarro, founder of White Label
“Slowing down and learning to appreciate the small, quiet moments that got lost in the hustle and bustle before. Tending to my plants, a quiet snuggle with my baby, or just a warm cup of coffee, these are the moments I want to remember to appreciate in 2021.” – Skye Amundsen, co-founder of hope & plum
“I’m most proud to have created a tribe of women through our new TRIBECALLEDV.com and continue @biglovefiercejuju and my private practice. I know that helping women engage and bond and share and open up about shared experiences highlights how much more alike than different we actually all are. -Shieva Ghofrany, cofounder @tribecalledv
“There was little to do that felt safe and comfortable in the midst of the pandemic—especially walking into the doors of the hospital day after day unsure of what that shift would bring. My husband walked me to and from work, day in and day out. The only thing that felt safe and comfortable was his hand in mine. I talked, laughed and cried, while he listened, laughed, and consoled. We drank so many coffees together. He was there for me to help put one foot in front of the other when it was overwhelmingly exhausting. I couldn’t be more grateful for those early mornings and late-night strolls—our own walks to remember.” –Nicole Sprotte, founder of friendRN,
*All images courtesy of participants in the story.
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