8 Ways to Stay Positive during Coronavirus
Dear parents,
This newsletter was inspired by the overwhelming amount of recent calls and emails from you, our students and our hard-working and talented teachers,
Asking about what to do next
Feeling anxious and scared about health, wealth and stability
“Losing it with kids full-time at home”
“Olesya, what should I do?”- the repeated question from many of you…
THIS IS THE TEST FOR ALL OF US! And, it will pass.
This test will become your experience which will help you encourage your kids and friends in the future and empower you to be stronger, resilient and happy.
- Look at your past.
We all had difficulties in the past. We know the bad things will pass.
Life is said to be white and black- white for good times and black for bad.
When I was a child growing up in Soviet Union, my grandma taught me that no worry or hardship of mine can be compared to what people endured during the War of 1941-1945. I knew that my grandmas and grandpas were children during the World War 2, but yet supported the army and helped bringing the victory over Fascism. Instead of the nursery stories at bedtime, I was told the real stories of families and young children surviving the war hardships and murders of the close ones during World War 2- the stories so frightening and disturbing, the kind of stories we are now taught not to tell our children in order to save their childhood psyche.
I started my music teaching business in the Soviet Union in 1991 right after the August Coup when military tanks appeared on the streets of Moscow, the ruble devaluated, and times of uncertainty and worry replaced the country-wide belief in “the bright future”.
I have lived through the financial glory of late 1990s in the US and saw the stocks plummeting in 2000-2001, making many Americans and me poor.
I have lived through 2008 recession and stock market crash when my music teaching business lost 60% of the students in the first 3 weeks of the new school year, because our musical families had been rapidly losing jobs, unable to pay.
I survived my past. So, did you!
You saw ups and downs of your life, but you survived it all.
So, remember, that it all will pass and one day you will not even mention it in a conversation.
2. Accept the experience.
Imagine that you are traveling to a different country and have to adapt to new rules and culture, such as social distancing. Take it as an experience rather than emergency.
3. Stay positive, teach positive
Imagine that you need to make less money, stretch your dollar to pay bills and upcoming taxes, BUT spend more time with children or, for those students who do not have kids, have extra time to spend with the book you dreamt to read!
Since more and more families have started switching to our Online Music Lessons, both students’ parents and teachers reported that students were excessively happy to see our teachers through the screens of their computers and iPhones. That means young students miss their lessons, feel disconnected and worry about the situation, and excited to see the familiar faces of their beloved teachers! So, hands up to those who switched to our online music lessons.
When you stay positive and our teachers show a good example, your child is happy overall and takes the situation as an experience rather than a devastating to your family circumstance.
4. Socialize… via technology
Staying socially distant does not mean limiting your communication with friends, neighbors and family.
Socialize by phone, text, email, or chat. Make new friends online! “Meet” your neighbors via online groups and platforms. Keep talking; we are social animals after all. J
5. Practice your music!
Stay busy and calm by practicing your music pieces. Playing music and working on hard passages, although sometimes challenging, have a relaxing and calming effect. It tends to low your blood pressure, calm your nerves, slow your pulse and decrease stress.
Our traditional recitals will take place in the near future! J
6. Limit your news intake.
Watch less news – not only the excessive absorption of negative information will increase your anxiety, but you will feel exhausted, unhealthy overall, which will only worsen your relationship with loved ones, already forced to stay home with you all day.
7. Stay busy.
Finding a new task to do in the social distancing time is easy. Your elder neighbor might benefit from your assistance with grocery purchases, your child will enjoy playing a game together, your spouse will love your undivided attention, your pet will be eager to socialize, your new hobby, such as learning a new musical instrument, will brighten your day, your new online exercise routine you were putting on hold for so long will make you feel satisfied, your new cooked dish will fill the house with the pleasant aroma… the list will never stop as long as you are choosing to stay positive, creative and goal oriented. Use the new disadvantage to your advantage!
8. Watch fun videos and share with MUSIC TEACHER LA! The best funny media will be posted in our next blog.
Stay healthy! Stay happy! And, #spread the word about our company- your truthful MUSIC TEACHER LA.
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Olesya MacNeil | PRESIDENT
