What Have We Learned? Staff Reflections During Covid-19
May 17, 2020
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2020 will forever mark a challenging year in history, but it may also be remembered as the year of many important reminders and lessons learned. During the temporary time apart, our Museum staff came together (virtually) and documented what we have learned, made time for, and hope to take away from this shared experience.
Jordan – Collections Manager
“I took this time at home as an opportunity to improve my quality of life, as I’m sure many people did! I spent more time outside, mostly in my front garden when the weather cooperated. My husband and I took our dogs on a few extra walks and we rode our horses more, too! I’ve finished a few projects I had started and began some new ones as well that I had been putting off. Most importantly, though, I took time to relax and enjoy not having a busy schedule to keep to, or any schedule at all!”
Alyssa – Visitor Services Representative
“It seems obvious in retrospect, but I’ve realized that we are not defined by the company we work for, or the money we earn, or the people we smile or frown at each day. We are not defined by our health. We are not even defined by the things we do in between moments of peace and panic. Rather, we are defined by whether or not we smile when we look into a mirror. We are defined by the shapes we see in the clouds, and we are defined by that little bit of nothing between two fingers touching, remarkable in the likeliness of existence.”
Brad – Education Manager & Volunteer Coordinator
“It’s easy to take for granted essential workers and services when times are good. This situation has forced us to acknowledge what is truly important — basic needs, health, and each other. These are important lessons I hope we don’t soon forget. And during an apocalypse toilet paper ranks most important!”
Danielle – Marketing & Development Director
“As I live alone, I spent the majority of my quarantine with my own thoughts. I’m an extreme extrovert, so being alone without a gym or a coffee shop was like my personal nightmare. So I decided to put the time to good use and spend this time in self-reflection. I’m an advocate for mental health and devoted much time to catching up on some areas of research in the field and processing how it related to me. In that quiet space I discovered some pretty great things: finally, after several years of trying to force it, I figured out how to let go of the ‘should’ and let myself just be whatever I needed in that moment – grieving, joyful, whatever I was feeling from our pandemic I wasn’t going to cover it up. It came and went and I sat deeply in it and let it run its course. Secondly, I discovered how truly careless or wasteful I’ve been – with my time, food, household cleaning products. I had plenty of time to practice minimalism that I was so desperately seeking and I fully embraced it! More importantly, I learned how much I truly enjoy but don’t need coffee shops! Hallelujah! While there were about 200 other amazing discoveries, I am most grateful for how I was able to be present to the love, compassion, and kindness I witnessed in our community.”
Briana – Exhibits Specialist
“It is no understatement to say that in just a few months COVID-19 has turned our world upside down. But one thing that’s stood out to me is the importance of community. That even though we have to be apart, with the help of technology and a little bit of creativity we can still find a way to come together and support one another.”
Kristin – Programs Director
“Like many lovers of history and music, I got into the Hamilton musical craze a few years back and started listening to the soundtrack in the car. I remember one of my initial reactions to the thematic arc of the show was ‘Who really thinks about their legacy? I don’t think I do. Were historical figures such Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, and Aaron Burr really driven in their life actions by concern for their legacy?’
The COVID-19 crisis has made me realize that I do think about what my future children and grandchildren will think about me. For every action I take during the crisis, I assume I will talk about it to my friends and family for the rest of my life. I see it as a formative piece of my future and I also believe my actions now may affect others for year to come, not only personally but professionally. I have become hyper aware that, as a Hamilton track says, ‘history has its eyes on you.’”
Sonja – Visitor Services Representative
“The thing I’ve thought about most during the pandemic is how this time in history will be remembered. How will historians write about this period? Will the fact that people hoarded toilet paper make the grade or will that part be left for families to pass down as a part of their folkloric stories? What question will land on the 10th grade history exam? Which numbers will be the ones associated with this pandemic? What will be our shortcut name for this era? I wish I could live long enough to write a book and perhaps be considered ‘the’ authority on the subject. Yeah, no, I won’t live that long!”
Amy - Marketing Coordinator
“Our lives are divided into little boxes of time — where we have to spend our time, where we should spend it, where we want to spend it, and where we actually spend it. Before closings started popping up like spring flowers, working was my 'thing.' It was both my way of feeling productive (or ‘successful’) and my introverted excuse (sorry, friends) to get out of socializing on a regular basis. But when the world forced us all to slow down, I was reminded of just how many worthwhile activities there are that may not pay the bills, but they sure do infuse one's life with value. So with 20 less hours to work each week, I made time for some of the things that I'd pinned to a 'maybe later' board with the world-famous excuse, 'I don't have time.'
I called my mom, wrote thank you letters, and had a game night via Zoom with some pals I hadn’t seen in a while. I read books, journaled, and upcycled a few items that I usually just throw away. I re-potted all of my plants, which had collected so much sunlight that they’d grown twice their original size; they were ready for a change. I took this reset button that life handed me and realized that I needed to prioritize the little box called ‘where I should spend my time.' I should (and want to) make time for the activities that help me to be more giving, more intentional, and more open to change. I can’t control what happens during this strange time in history, but I can control how I choose to spend my own time in the midst of the never-ending history that’s unraveling before us all. And for me, being reminded of what really matters couldn’t have come at a better time.”
Stephanie – Visitor Services Representative
"These past few months, I've been able to reflect on a lot of things spanning several different subjects; did the chicken or the egg come first? Why do we park in a driveway? Did Carole Baskin kill her husband?
But most importantly, I was able to reflect on myself. I am the type of person that will always be there for someone with a snap of the fingers, but with being home by myself for the majority of the day I was able to evaluate how I am... truly. I learned a lot, cried a lot, but also laughed a lot. I learned that I am a passionate person but that it's okay to not be okay. I learned I'm thankful to be in a work environment where it's like family, we watch out for each other and are always there when someone needs a shoulder to lean on."
Danielle - Visitor Services Director
“As an appreciator of the arts and a creator of visual art, the best advice I've ever received and given in return is 'Do what you know!' Paint what you know, sing what you know, write what you know, etc. And what I know is: My kids are my life! Being stuck at home has been a new experiences for us.
Staying at home 24/7 was interesting to say the least. I can only watch Frozen so many times before I'm singing "Let It Go" at the dog who just grabbed a toy he's not supposed to have. I don't get to read books or work on projects or deep clean the house like many of my coworkers stuck at home, instead I got to spend every minute of my day entertaining bored-out-of-their-minds toddlers! Luckily, I'm the daughter of a preschool teacher and am pretty creative myself that so far, I've been able to come up with some crafty distractions. From sidewalk parades to playing with shaving cream in the tub to picnics in the backyard.
While this pandemic is not without stress, I'm truly blessed to be backed by such an incredible institution as that of the Museum of World Treasures. I honestly feel that all my coworkers are an extension of my family and I will forever treasure this time that I got to spend with my kiddos. They will not remember this being a stressful or fearful time for our country. They will only remember the fun of building cardboard forts in the basement with mom! My advice from these experiences are focus on what's important and look for the treasure in every situation."
Do you have a reflection you'd like to share? Tag us on Facebook or Instagram with your story for the chance to be highlighted in our next newsletter!
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