WHAT HAS GOTTEN YOU THROUGH THE PANDEMIC?

What has inspired you or given you energy? How has your work changed for the better?  We asked, and you answered.

• "More time with my wonderful wife of 69 years of great married life; no problem wearing masks; able to work from home; writing an article; preparing two lectures; able to order groceries delivered to our home; e-mails to and from our four children; being with twice vaccinated friends; attending the wedding of our oldest granddaughter and having a family reunion on that occasion; celebrating our 89th birthdays, still in our own home and enjoying it."
  
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  ​- Charlie Hummel, WPEAC 1953

​"The pandemic gave us the opportunity to lean into virtual programming in a way that would have been very difficult to make space for during our normal operations. We won't be keeping all the models we tried, but there were programs that were wildly successful in digital space although they had been only modestly so in person, and audiences we could reach digitally that couldn't ever have been with us in person. For a museum in a huge city with legendary traffic issues in a massive state, turns out digital gives us some really unique opportunities."

​- Anonymous

• "I have gotten better at recognizing my limitations, and I've gained practice at saying no. During the pandemic, external stressors have left all of us with limited bandwidth. Acknowledging that and protecting the capacity you have enables you to do your best work with the energy at your disposal. And saying no is good practice for anyone, especially the people-pleasers among us!"
  
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  ​- Anonymous

"Going on 87 and twice jabbed, I read, write and garden, a spendthrift each day. Lucky my class all present and sentient. Go figure."
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- Anonymous

"My work has changed for the better with Zoom and teams meetings! I love the flexibility of being able to work from home while also chatting with colleagues. Exhibition design meetings go much smoother when you can share you screen. You can even have back-to-back meetings without having to run to a different location in between. Plus, no pants!"
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​- Anonymous

• ​"Less is more. This has been my motto of 2020, and I am carrying it with me. I have gained a new perspective of what it means to work hard while reserving important time for myself - my health, well being, family, and friends. When I was given permission to let some responsibilities go, I realized I could give greater quality energy to my other commitments. This has been a valuable lesson." 
  
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  ​- Lauren Fair, WUDPAC 2010

• "Contrary to my expectations, my retirement account balance has taken off during the pandemic!! From January 1, 2020 through July 1, 2021 it more than doubled in value. I can now consider myself fully retired even though I still do selective projects. No more financial worries! Thank you covid, although I doubt that is the full reason. Anyone else notice a similar effect?"
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  - Anonymous, WUDPAC '78

"Without sounding cliche, 2020 taught me to listen more and talk less. In this way all aspects (including my work as a conservator) changed for the better."

- Anonymous

"Believe it or not, Zoom. While too much Zoom is exhausting, I do really appreciate being able to see the faces of my friends and colleagues. I think it makes for more effective meetings and who hasn't had their day made by a Zoom happy hour with friends from across the country?"
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- Anonymous