Back to “normal”
Though the signs of the pandemic had been creeping, the shutdown came out of nowhere. I remember I was sitting at Anthony’s in Everett, celebrating my 40th birthday with my dear friend Nina, and my phone kept rattling with notifications. News sites, tags on social media, emails and the like. Throughout the course of that day I saw a huge shift in our life, without much warning, we went from a very active lifestyle- work, sports, school- to a quick pause, sheltering in our home for safety measures.
Real estate was shut down for a short time - considered non essential for a quick moment. Non essential as I had clients right smack in the middle of buying their dream home. Thankfully that was temporary and with heavy restrictions, I was able to continue to work. Throughout this time I did not post market stats. Certainly I could have, strangely the market was still booming and things were moving at a fast pace for those who put their home on the market. I started a Facebook post several times, and each time I would get a call or a text from a past client or friend, wanting to talk about their housing situation. It never felt right for me. I had clients who had to pause due to the unknown with their jobs. One client had severe health issues and was worried about the impact this could have on her life and chose not to move forward at all. I had clients living in their dream home and wondering if they’d be able to stay. The unknown often brings along the type of anxiety that clenches your core. Not knowing how to make your next move is tough for a lot of us. As the person they looked to for advice, I could not continue with the post on the market. What I chose instead was to observe where people were in that moment and try to offer support. I gave away meals and coffee, sent small gifts and cards in the mail. Connection through gifts is one of my love languages and it filled my own cup taking care of others in small gestures.
I had my own struggles during the stay at home order. In a blink, I was helping my first grader with common core math (ugh.). I had a struggling senior in high school who was so close to the finish line. My daughter went from having a job as an R.A. at Western Washington University, to move home and finish the rest of the term with classes online. Our house was bustling, Zoom meetings around every corner and there was an endless amount of meal planning. I was trying to maintain my own semblance of a work day and finally I gave in. I gave into leggings, premade dinners ordered from a local business, and working at odd hours. Don’t even ask about the laundry, I’m still working on it! We did the best we could under the circumstances and that was good enough. My son WILL graduate here in the next week, my daughter is knocking out her finals and the first grader is happy as a clam with the randomness we call school. We made it! I also gained some clarity. I had more time, I snuggled my 7 yr. old more, stayed up late with my older two children and talked nonsense and called people who I haven’t spoken to in awhile. I reconnected and evaluated different pieces of my life.
I did close the dream house for my buyers and helped another couple find their forever home. I also had hard conversations with those who were heavily affected by the economy. One could say my job is about sales, but that has never felt true for me. As I go into my 11th year I know my job is about investing in people. I invest in their dreams or current predicaments and work with them towards a solution. I strive to build an experience that leaves them feeling cared about and knowing that I am in it for the long term. I absolutely am.
Today is my first day back at work. The parking lot of Mill Creek Town Center is no longer a ghost town. Local restaurants are bustling and the sidewalks are once again full of people going about their day. Agents are making their way back into the office and looking for the new normal under masks and desks strategically placed six feet apart. As we ease back into things I urge everyone to do their best at being kind to one another. We are in a moment of transition on so many levels. All it takes is a small gesture of kindness to move in the right direction.
