Anthony's Story on living in Vancouver Washington, his experience with social distancing, and how he's processing the overwhelming changes.
ABOUT
Anthony's Story on living in Vancouver Washington, his experience with social distancing, and how he's processing the overwhelming changes.
LOCATION
Washington
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
people, experiencing, happening, world, impact, delivery driver, connect, listens, grieving, Vancouver, balconies, mind, talk, driver, process, rules, helped, wave, workers, distanced
--
Submit to have your story told here.
Adam Mutschler 00:01
Welcome to socially distanced. On this episode we have Anthony Ware based currently in Vancouver, Canada. Anthony, welcome to the show.
Anthony 00:09
Hey, thank you. Thank you.
Adam Mutschler 00:11
This is it's important to call it out. This is just such a weird time to be connecting with people across the globe.
Anthony 00:17
I know I know. And also, I'm sorry, but it's a Vancouver, Washington. Sorry. Oh, because
Adam Mutschler 00:23
Washington. Yeah. Got it. You said Canada. I was like, Oh, that's cool, man. But yeah, that makes more sense when you were talking about the taxes in our sort of offline conversation. Well, okay, Vancouver, Washington, still across the country. You know, started this show to connect with people and really collect some reflections and stories and thoughts about what we're experiencing with current crisis and would love to hear I know you've you've traveled and you've been on both coasts and you you know you better Global guy would love to hear a little bit about how this is impacting you and what's on your mind and how things are going.
Anthony 01:09
Yeah, you know, I'll start with like everyone else I've gone through my you know, I guess kind of the cycles of like grieving and not believing it's happening and yeah but but I also take a look at it kind of from a my backgrounds in science and around science partially and and so when I look at what's happening some of it I'm like it's got to happen by because of human nature right now. So it while the numbers are still staggering and and and and dramatic and they kind of hurt to see. For me it's just like, back to the whole thing of like, what can I control and then what's kind of the obvious things that are going to happen next for society. It's kind of my take on it.
Adam Mutschler 01:59
I think that It sounds like a very level headed approach and not just your science background. I know a little bit about you we've connected in previous groups, especially around remote work, actually. And you you work and I'm just going based on your, your LinkedIn here. Mental wealth. Yes. Like you're all about them. You're all about the mind. Even your emoji and your Twitter is your brain is the brain.
Anthony 02:24
Yeah, yeah. And it's, um, it's really interesting because I, I, you know, the quick background is like, I went from learning how to climb the corporate ladder getting frustrated with that started my first business back in 2008. So I've seen like an he started in a bad economic error. Yeah. And then I've swung from capitalism to Super spiritual when I taught yoga and the last 12 years have been this ebb and flow and to understand now that, you know, we all talk about yesterday. You need money, but we need to talk about building mental health at the same way. And things do help our mind. And like I say, I, much like everyone else. I've gone through the grieving. And I've had my bingeing of Netflix and eating a lot of chocolate andthat kind of stuff.
Adam Mutschler 03:17
So we'll talk for me personally, but also for anyone that listens. Can you talk a little bit about some of those initial sort of like that those initial reactions? And even though maybe you've worked through some of it, what was running through your minds? Because I think one of the things that people are experiencing as we're socially isolated, right, however, we might actually be experiencing something similar with more people in the globe than we've ever experienced. Hmm. Which is this impact? Right? Yeah. So early, early stages of this process for you.
Anthony 03:55
The early stages for like, I was actually I was thinking, I was like pissed, because I was like shit, I'm gonna lose money. Yeah, I can say that. I'm just like, money. Most of what I'm building and how I'm wired is I do best when I'm in front of people. Sure. And so that was my first thing and then, but, but at the same time I, I was like, you know, you're great to go through some level of depression and some level of loneliness and feeling alone. journal about that, talk about it. I've been fortunate to over the last several years surround myself with people that I trust their opinion. And we have frank conversations. And, and so I think that one of the biggest things I did was actually checking with other people that helped me feel more stable. Yeah. It was a quick text or leave me a voicemail Knowing that I know they may not return that voicemail anytime soon. And yeah, so some of the early stuff was just like, how are my people doing?
Adam Mutschler 05:12
I think that's a great point. And that's actually something. This is the second conversation I'm having around this, at least in a recorded fashion. And that was something that immediately came up. And I, that totally resonates with me. It's something that I've done. I'm checking with people that I don't check in with normally, like people that maybe I haven't talked to in six months or over a year. But, you know, I'm thinking about those relationships, and I'm thinking about different areas of the world that are impacted and the people that I know they're, you know, and and it's, it's, it's, it's bringing back a lot. I mean, I know, a handful of people in Italy. You know, I know people in London, you know, so like, in Germany. I mean, these are, it's something that's so heavy right now in our world.
Anthony 06:00
That's so spot on. And I think you make a good point, too. And, you know, prior to all this happening, you developing those relationships, it I don't know about you, but for me, I'm the same way no people in different parts of the world, it's actually helped me because I see that whatever is happening here in the United States, we're not the only ones. It's kind of that, you know, we're all in this together and yes, as a species. But it's also helped to see that it's a wave like we saw it happening in China and then what's happening in Italy and then, like, even in the US, right now, we're a step ahead of what's happening in the UK, even though globally, the UK should be at a different place, like wave of the virus kind of go across the planet. And, and yeah, so I think look, you know, if anything, looking for People in this world make make friends with people in other places, if you can see can have a global perspective.
Adam Mutschler 07:08
I think that a global perspective is great. And something that I've experienced almost my entire life, like getting back to like fifth or sixth grade, is the world is as small as we make it. Hmm. You know, and I literally had a moment I was camping in sixth grade or seventh grade in New York, and I live in Maryland. I live in DC now, but I'm from Maryland. And I literally was playing with these kids, and, you know, started talking to them, and their parents were best friends with the parents across the street from where I lived. was the craziest thing, but it wouldn't have come up if we didn't talk and connect. Right. So true. You know, and I think like, I think there's a lot of that connection, and something that I that I experienced. And you mentioned this as we're all experiencing this, there's an actually an incredible opportunity to connect with people. Right now.
Anthony 08:03
Yeah. And you think about it. Well, you were talking on zoom. And then there's other different platforms. And there's the the old school platform of the telephone. Um, tell her what, yeah. And I was even seeing like, people started to have pen pals now because the mail spills in the post is still being delivered across the world. It's like, like, it's what a grand opportunity to create deeper connections, who knows, you know, it's turn some of those, quote unquote, weak ties into stronger ties.
Adam Mutschler 08:37
Yeah. And so so you have this in the beginning there was just like, this is going to impact my business. And then, you know, connecting with other people besides Netflix and ice cream and all that good stuff. What are the things did you take them on or did you implement or it helped you continue moving through this process of processing it.
Anthony 09:02
Um, so I think one of the things I did, and I didn't really pay attention to it until after I was hit was I have a grocery inventory. And I think probably if you're if if somebody listen to the say, of the kids are like, Yeah, we do all the time, but, but having an inventory of being able to go, like when I do go to the grocery store have that stability of knowing what I need to get combined with, like I was training for a marathon. And so I'm like finding ways to still do the training, although now I'm not, I mean, at least for the next two weeks, I'm not going to go outside except around the house. So it's starting to put those things in place to create stability in my line of thinking, so I can have the free space to process and I didn't try to add anything new. I just tried to do things that were were core to me. So whether it was journaling or Or amping up my meditation. You know, making sure I start to eat less processed foods and less that of changing my diet but more of understanding that processed foods take longer to process in your body and it takes away from, you know what your brain in your heart can be doing heart is in your emotional heart to me doing?
Adam Mutschler 10:23
Sure. I think those are great. Those are great examples of your own practices and that emphasis there like not taking on new things but leaning into existing practices. However, however, disciplined or not you were in the past, leaning into those on the show is called socially distanced. Because I think that this is an incredible phenomena. And I don't know what the sort of long tail impact will be and what practices will stick even when we get more mobile. But what's the What does this experience been like for you? You mentioned you're not going to be going out for the next two weeks. What does that look like
Anthony 11:04
Yeah? Well, it's sucked up initially. Yeah, you know, not being like, there's some friends that when we see each other we hug. Yeah, like real hugs, like heart to heart. Yeah. And, and, and I was like, this is gonna suck. And so then it's like, Okay, so how can I stay connected with those people? So it started to do things like, like, I'm heavy on Twitter these days, and less about like seeing what's the latest update on covered? It's more of like, what am I people up to? Can I drop them in? Can I drop in a quick dm and things like that. So, you know, when I look at technology, I don't look at it as an either or like physical world or digital world like it's the world As much as when I was in junior high, because I'll be 45 in April so when I was in junior high back in the day, the best way to hang out my friends was like, on the phone because I couldn't go out after the light streetlight 10. So that it's a new way it's not too different. And but it's but but I think, I think and I hope that this the physical distancing that we have to have that impacts our social connection when we are able to have this the physical world connection again, I think we cherish it more.
Adam Mutschler 12:38
Yeah, don't take it for granted.
Anthony 12:40
Yeah, yeah. And, and living life like you see, like, I think Italy was the first one I saw where people like, like they're dancing or singing and analogies.
Adam Mutschler 12:49
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I have a buddy in Brazil and he's been sending videos. We've got a we've got a group chat with a couple With a couple friends that he's been sending videos of people in their balconies, cheering medical staff, like coming back like late shifts and stuff like that, like literally you can hear like, Well, you know, like cops rattling people like whistling it's pretty it's pretty incredible,
Anthony 13:17
though I totally agree and and on that on that kind of thread, it's like the it's interesting to see what is termed essential medical workers. People who work at grocery stores all these like, like medical workers, they had some kind of street cred prior to this. But when you look at like people who worked at grocery stores were looked down upon Yeah, or people who delivery driver delivery drivers or servers, restaurants and everything. They're kind of like, you know, an afterthought or a place to put somebody to aggression on and now it's like, oh my god, we need you because like Great example. What happens if all the grocery store workers are like, screw it? We're going on strike. We won't be home. Yeah,
Adam Mutschler 14:06
no, that would be devastating. I think that's a great, I think it's a great point one about appreciation, but also to about respect and freedom for anyone that listens, if there's any question in your mind, show as much appreciation for anyone that's out there working while you're able to be home or have to be home. Because in addition to the essential workers, and they're supplying us with what we need right now, they may be away most likely from their family, and they're putting themselves really at risk out of requirement. But they're, they're, they're, they're stepping up in a way that's incredible. And every time I see a delivery driver in the neighborhood, like I'll go for walks, because there's a lot of space in my, in the neighborhood I'm in right now. I think I wave at FedEx drivers, I wave at UPS drivers, I'm thanking people when they're like the mailman, you know, are still coming through and I'm thanking them Showing that gratitude and that grace I think is super important.
Anthony 15:03
Oh, yes, yes. I agree with you 1,000%.
Adam Mutschler 15:09
So, in an effort to keep these tight, and sort of just keep capturing these little pieces, I've two more questions. One, what kind of space are you operating in? I mean, the last conversation I had, it was one bedroom apartment, two people trying to figure out how to co work. Right. And you mentioned you're not going outside. Are you in an apartment? Are you in a house
Anthony 15:31
Yeah So I'm in it's a I'm in a house. It has three levels and I'm, I'm in the basement level. So it's like finished basement. I mean, all that.It's like a suite more than a unit. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. So So yeah, but it's, I mean, we got a nice shard, I can go I mean, driver is pretty long. I can go out and do like a full body workout. out in the backyard. Okay. So, so But it's in the neighborhood and interestingly enough near an emergency like hospital place, so Okay, interesting,
Adam Mutschler 16:07
very interesting. And I've seen I think that's interesting also like getting that outdoor space if you have it. I've seen people on social jump roping on balconies like we're gonna start getting creative. So considering where you are in the way you're processing this experience and also the work that you do around you know, mental wealth and and things like that. What are some what's a parting thought or reflection on where we are currently? We're thinking like zoom out, you know, society global. What's on your mind about what's happening?
Anthony 16:45
I think it's a kind of two parts. So one is that do I think every everyone needs to do away with the thought of things are going to go back the way they were? Because he never made them? They never are. So let go And move forward. That's how you move forward is the key. And I think understanding that in many ways, we have like a wide open blank canvas on what's possible, and holding ourselves accountable for being creative and staying in this new way of being, but also holding our our elected officials accountable, because they're showing what is possible when it comes to helping all of society. When in the past, they said it wasn't possible. And so I think, I guess the wrap around is, is we, we have a we have an opportunity to create the world we want.
Adam Mutschler 17:43
Yeah.
Anthony 17:44
And it's our choice. What we're going to do with that, that newfound power, if you will.
Adam Mutschler 17:51
And I think that that those are those are great things to consider and to hold and think about, because you're right. We're being new shown that we can do things that for a long time, we've had, we've had rules. And Steve Jobs said it. This is a great quote from Steve Jobs from I think, the 90s. But he famously said, when you realize that the rules and the world around you were built by people that not much smarter than you or not even smarter than you, and you start to push against those rules. He's like, that's when life gets interesting. And we're having a global flex on new rules. Well, good. Anthony, thank you so much for being on the show. I really appreciate you taking the time.
Anthony 18:46
Adam of my pleasure. My pleasure.
Adam Mutschler 18:48
And I'll just I'll leave you with this. This is the socially distance podcast hosted by Adam Mutschler. And stay safe and remember, we are all more connected than we ever have. imagined