The Upside of the Downside: 11 Ways Women Flourished During the Pandemic
“I feel terrible saying this…” She looked at me through her computer camera, panicked, as if confessing to have gobbled the first slice of someone’s wedding cake. “But the pandemic has been a relief to me…I, dare I say, enjoyed that period. It broke the loop I was stuck in, and gave me a minute to reassess everything I thought I wanted in a career, what was working, and what was making me miserable.”
Eloise is not alone. She echoed what participants in my research on how women learned to recreate their careers and find personal fulfillment mentioned: primarily that the pandemic offered an opportunity to revisit, reset, and reactivate personal and/or professional aspirations. This distinct period of upheaval has led many of them to a flourishing life and career. Yet there remains a certain feeling of guilt in sharing pandemic upsides; especially as for the past 24 months, many women have experienced the opposite and found themselves languishing — or even crumbling — under the weight of it all. Any way you slice it, we have had to adjust to an ever-changing “new normal” at work, home, and in the world around us.
While much has been written on the devastating effects of the pandemic, as Chief Executive Optimist, I thought it would also be worth sharing how women have used the Great Pause to their advantage and how they continue to flourish (albeit often discreetly). As Whitney Johnson, author of Disrupt Yourself, points out: it is in fact the start of the Great Aspiration.
Here is what I have learned from speaking to working women who discovered ways to thrive against the odds:
Make space for a new place:
Women found new spaces, such as online forums and communities (e.g. AllBright, Luminary, The Cru), where they were able to share their concerns and struggles. They leaned into new networks for shared encouragement and moral support, which helped normalize challenging situations. The simple act of listening to other women’s stories proved invaluable — notice how many people have tuned into podcasts over the past two years! Women are relational and learn through shared storytelling, so it is no wonder these moments of exchange provided hope — and hope is a fuel that can move mountains.
Tech it easy:
They used this time to leverage technology in creative ways that they had previously shied away from, and adapted these tools to fit in with a shifting work model: for example, using tools like Notion or Slack to project manage remotely.
Great expectations:
They held intentional conversations about their needs, abilities, and limitations, during which they managed expectations: at work and at home, as professionals and (in many cases) also as parents.
Grow global:
They took advantage of the flexibility our new virtual world gave them by joining causes, networks, and teams in areas beyond their local network — in particular those to which they may not have had access to before. For example, some began online classes through EdX or Coursera — including university-level courses that were not financially feasible previously.
It’s a family affair:
They deepened family relationships and friendships by increasing FaceTime and real-time connections with loved ones (even though some days in close quarters were more challenging than others!). We know that relationships are essential for flourishing, so continuing to nurture those connections in any way you can is a springboard to joy.
Newbies on the block:
They took up new hobbies, acquired new skills, and — in many cases — converted commuting time to learning time whilst working from home.
Careful contemplation:
Some began contemplating a professional transition and used this time for self-reflection and exploration. They started with self-assessments, many of which are free — e.g. Gretchen Rubin’s Four Tendencies Quiz or the VIA Character Strengths Survey — to build greater self-awareness and gain a clearer understanding of their values, ideals, and aspirations. Once they had more clarity, they moved to activate.
Go for bold:
Some women took the opportunity of the unknown to make bold decisions: relocated, rekindled a long-held dream, or embarked on a new adventure.
Tweak-a-boo:
Some women simply changed the set-up of their existing role: whether it was location, daily schedule, or project priorities. Just a simple tweak could make a big impact.
Be a data detective:
They researched the market and what was of interest, seeking out information that was helpful to their aspirations. Many scanned newsletters; joined free workshops, digital events, or Zoom networking sessions; or tuned into podcasts and video content.
Approach a coach:
Some women worked with coaches to support their individual transformation and journey toward flourishing. I credit my own ability to relocate from Switzerland to New York, from a career with the United Nations to being successfully self-employed, to the coaches who supported me along the way. (Shout-out to Zing Collaborative!)
I have witnessed many women have the opportunity to flourish during this time of upheaval, and yet be somewhat reluctant to roar from the rooftops. If the past two years have taught us anything, it’s that we have to look out for one another — so let’s not hesitate to share as we continue to maneuver and learn from the pandemic, inspiring others to explore new avenues. If we lift other women as we climb, the scramble will be more like an uphill stroll in pursuit of flourishing.
For more resources:
Download my free 5-step ebook to help you spring forward.
Register for my 3-part course with BeWell at Stanford this May: How to Flourish — Practical Tools to Start Living Your Best Life.
With joy,