To overstate the obvious, things are pretty intense right now. Every day, we take in waves of information that are hard to process. It’s okay to be worried, and anxious, and scared, and frustrated. You are not alone in that! Now more than ever, what’s most important is that we are here for one another. To that end, we recently checked in with our work-from-home ANDERSON crew. How are they really feeling and dealing? And what do they think about the impact of COVID-19?
Ted Anderson, President and CEO
Going into the third week, the new routine has settled in place. I’m still going to the office, alone, but the time there allows me to focus on staying up with the agency’s clients and the business itself. I am definitely missing the team, the in-person interaction, and just being able to even grab coffee with someone. At home, kids are continuing school online, working on puzzles, playing games, and I have been trying to make it through the stack of books I’ve been meaning to get to. I have been trying to look into how this will affect us moving forward, and how we can help each other—and our clients—adapt and continue to communicate.
Adrianna Dalpiaz, VP Account Services
As VP of Account Services at the agency, part of my role is to build relationships, and be proactive for our clients and staff. It is similar to how I live my life too… (minus the mess that is my closet, it’s my one exception). In these times, it’s been an adjustment to not be able to predict what each day is going to bring, because right now, we can’t plan or control anything. But what we can control is ourselves and our relationships. It has become exceptionally important to check in on our clients, and staff, and see how they are doing. Not only how business is running, but really how are THEY doing. Because that is what matters.
We are partners. We are people. We care. And we are all in this together.
Laura Girard, Director of Media Services
Honestly, I am feeling overwhelmed with balancing work/mom life. I am jealous of all the moms on social media who are doing fun art projects with their kiddos everyday while I am trying to keep up with my responsibilities. Things like trying to manage video calls, not let my kids survive on and feed off of electronic devices, and forget how to function in a respectable manner are a daily occurrence. But, the next breath, I am thankful for my job, an income, and the freedom I have from my workplace to be able to be a part-time mom during these strange times. All in all, everything feels so uncertain. One day is good, the next is bad, and I AM EXHAUSTED. And I now eat dinner at 5pm, which is really weird.
Aaron Castiglione, Creative Director
The whole situation definitely still feels a bit surreal. I miss the energy and camaraderie of the office. But in the meantime, I am trying to make the most of things. I spend most of my time in my home office, hanging out with Benny during breaks, and reacquainting myself with my DSLR camera when things are a bit slow.
Justin Gagen, Motion Graphics/Video Editor
Kara and I are coping as well as we can. Luckily, we’ve managed to maintain our daily routines, exercise every day, and cook healthy meals. Olive hates being cooped up, so we try to play with her as much as possible. I have been waking up at my normal time, and getting dressed as if I’m going to the office because it helps me switch into “work mode.” At the end of the day, I switch to comfy clothes and mentally “leave work” so I can relax stress free. Every little bit helps when you live and work in a 750 sq ft apartment. I am trying to focus on learning new software and skills to get better at my job, that way I don’t turn into a couch slug who just plays video games all day.
Although the doom and gloom on the news can get anybody down, I’ve been cheering myself up by telling myself, “today is one more day closer to normal.” I don’t spare energy to worry about things I can’t control, I stay focused on the things in my life that I can directly influence. Luckily I own a workstation that was ready to go! I did end up ordering an expensive new computer chair, because my current cheap one was not made to sit in for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, and my back has been killing me! Hoping it gets delivered soon.
Emily Mack, Project Manager
Other than not going out and seeing my friends, my life hasn’t changed too much. My new daily routine includes going on an afternoon walk to soak up some sun, and actually riding my Peloton (it’s the best). While this is an uncertain and scary time, I am thankful I have been able to spend a lot of time at home relaxing with my boyfriend and our cat (who I now consider a new coworker). As you can see, he’s made himself very comfortable at my workstation. Side note: I miss my REAL, HUMAN, coworkers!!
Austin Kreitler, Digital Media Specialist
COVID-19 has been one of the weirdest and most chaotic things I can say I’ve lived through. It’s been a wake-up call on certain habits I have, but I also have used it to expand my knowledge within my career. Working from home with three other people living there has been one of the biggest adjustments I’ve ever had to make (besides moving 2,000+ miles to go to college). But I’ve also found myself to be more productive which leaves me time to learn new skills. It’s been an uneasy time with information changing daily about the virus, which is worrisome in ways as life can be almost “normal” one day, and hits the fan the next. I’ve learned to social distance, not only from other humans, but from social media and news. It only creates more anxiety hence why I only check in the evening and call it a day. I do believe we will come out stronger in the end. As of right now, focusing on staying safe and healthy is the priority.
Alyssa Grock, Account/Social Media Coordinator
All I can really say is UGH. I am the kind of person who loves being home, lounging in my PJ’s all day, until I have to. I am the kind of person who needs the gym and social interaction to keep me going weekly, and now that those things have been taken away I feel like I am kinda floating through nothing. I don’t even know what day it is half of the time. My biggest struggle right now has been adjusting to the constant working from home atmosphere, and not eating my ENTIRE pantry and fridge. Who knows, I might be rolling myself down the stairs by the end of quarantine. I have tried to remain as productive as possible by waking up on time, showering, putting on a little makeup, and not annoying my dog who is honestly so over me being in his space all the time. I’m also keeping myself busy by working on puzzles, reading, meditation, hiking on South Mountain, trying not to lose my abs, and I just decided that I am going to try to learn American Sign Language! I am currently hanging out with SAMF (Hunter) in Flagstaff, AZ, and will be heading back to Vegas in a week so I can spend my birthday with my family.
If this pandemic has taught me anything, it’s that we need to be a lot nicer to each other, the Earth, and ourselves. PS: I miss Aaron’s beet juice and Olive and Pepper’s barks!
Chelsea Giro, Account Coordinator
When this pandemic began, so many people thought working from home as a great, amazing, less stressful way to work, without realizing how difficult it can actually be. I quickly learned I had to designate an area to be my home office during this time, and use that area for work ONLY. This has definitely helped me stay more focused while making the transition from in-office to at-home. I am lucky enough to be a member of a team like ANDERSON, and that we can still keep up with the usual “water cooler conversations” over Slack. Somehow we have been finding new ways to interact with each other and our clients on social media throughout the workday. I am especially enjoying the office dog photos.
Allie Konkol, Graphic Designer
I am just amazed at the sense of community that has come out of such a mess of a situation. Everyone is really trying to stay sane, and positive, and the only way we can do that is by staying human. Go for walks, take time to learn a new recipe and cook with family, try out that new hobby that you have never had time for before all this. It is a good time to take a step back and really appreciate the things we have in life. Might as well try to focus on the good while we are stuck at home, right?
Melissa Forbes, Public Relations Supervisor
Quarantine has been a wild ride. Like everyone, I’ve had my good days (hair done, nice outfit, plenty of exercise) and my bad days (realizing I hadn’t showered or changed clothes since the day before, whoops). Luckily, I chose a fantastic coping mechanism: fostering a sweet little pup named Pop Tart. Along with our other permanent rescue, Ms. Pharaoh Baguette, my husband and I have stayed busy and most importantly, well-entertained.
Jenny Moss, Copywriter
I feel so fortunate to have a job that adapts seamlessly to a work-from-home environment. And for me, boredom is NOT an issue. In addition to keeping up with all of my ANDERSON projects, I have been donating my time (and writing abilities) to help combat the shortage of COVID-19 protective gear for our doctors, nurses and first responders. (In a nutshell, it uses 3D printing to create reusable, washable face protection.) And when I’m not doing all of that, my favorite hobby doesn’t even require leaving the house! Currently, I am learning “Bohemian Rhapsody” on my piano, so the longer this quarantine lasts, the better. Ha ha.
