Why I have posted less since COVID landed

As someone who is setting up a new business, I know I need to make a lot of noise about it so that people know I am here and what I have to offer. I was doing pretty well on that front, especially for an introvert, but that stopped as soon as we went into lockdown. 

Looking back at my silence, I realise it was prompted by a number of factors

• The shock of going into the first health pandemic in my lifetime didn't trigger fight or flight in me. My response was more a case of freezing - which is a standard response, too - followed by a need to hunker down and take stock. I am now grateful for that response as I feel like it helped me transition into the new state of affairs quickly and easily. 
• By the time I had caught my breath, it seemed like the people who are inspired to take action had taken over. In my world, that was a lot of digital people hoping to save the world with code. I did spot a few likeminded people quietly asking if user needs had been considered, especially as tons of people seemed to be separately working on the same problem. 
• I did make an offer to coach anyone in my network that was having problems settling into working from home but didn't get many takers. Possibly it was too early and the people who needed it were frozen in shock too. The offer is still open, by the way, until life gets back to "normal". 
• Like many, I was pretty horrified by the flurry of emails, particularly from SaaS services, virtue signalling to make sure we realised how fantastic they were. And then there were the hollow shows of charity and advice from the rich and famous. There was also a tsunami of advice from people who have absolutely no credentials to even hint that they know what they are talking about. The internet has certainly given a microphone to people who should never have access to one. So my response was to try and distance myself from that kind of behaviour for fear of looking like I was doing the same. 

Now that things have calmed down, I wanted to share my observations:

1. Our reaction to shock is outside of our control. We all act instinctively to protect ourselves. There isn't a right or wrong answer. Our response is exactly right for each of us: some people feel safer when taking action, other people feel safer by lying low. 
2. Freeze, flight or fight: each has an upside and a downside. I think the freezers and the flee-ers feel that fighting is the ideal, heroic response. That isn't correct. It's all part of the rich dance of life. If everyone started running around, we'd all be crashing into each other. We need the various responses for balance. No response is better than the other. 
3. I have read about some horrible behaviour but, I have to say, IRL, I have only seen the best of people. My street and my neighbourhood have become models for support in a crisis. Strangers talking and supporting each other and building bonds. Not everyone of course but those who can't do it are keeping very quiet at the moment. Long may it last!
4. Like all of us, I have been catching up with people regularly. It's probably obvious but generally, the introverts are loving a lot of the new normal and are hoping we can keep a lot of it in the future. The extroverts are climbing the walls. Something to bear in mind post-crisis.

I hope everyone is able to stay safe and sane during the lockdown. My offer of a coaching session to help you make sense of whats going on for you right now is still very much open. Book a quick intro call and we'll set up some time to talk.