UNITED STATES - I never truly thought about the way my walls were decorated until ZOOM started to show me how tactless my backgrounds were. Anyone else? We can name the COVID-19 challenges impacting our industry (many industries) today in a host of ways: from shelter-at-home, quarantining, and working remotely to social distancing and lockdown—to name a handful. While the shift in our normal has presented hurdles and some creative thinking, you have to admit that it has also given us the gift of time.

I, for one, swapped weekend snowboarding trips for Peloton, yoga, and attempting to knit, added to the stack of books on my nightstand, and my obsession with finding the perfect ginger beer and apple variety has taken over my cupboards. Many of our industry friends have found themselves in some creative and fruitful spaces as well, and I was dying to share a few of the new hobbies and activities that have cropped up during this nutty time.

Jennifer Wagner, Director of Retail Sales, Driscoll’s

“My dogs now fight over who gets to sit under my desk every day, my kids have now leveled up on multiple video games, and I managed to get through two more classes toward my doctorate! And on a separate note, I am so tired of staring at the same wall at home daily…I now have the urge to repaint!!”

Dick Spezzano, Founder, Spezzano Consulting Service, Inc.

“I now have the cleanest cars on my street and probably the cleanest and well-organized garage. My wife and I have once again taken up the card game cribbage. We usually spend about an hour in the late afternoon playing cribbage and having a glass of wine.”

Julie DeWolf, Director of Marketing Operations, Sunkist Growers

“I have managed to keep a little busy during the quarantine. I have perfected a double-chocolate banana bread that we made at least six times during the lockdown, cooked with rhubarb for the first time (it was good!), and developed a charcuterie and cheese addiction while learning the Figure 8 dancing videos.”

Brett Burdsal, Business Development and Sales, Dayka & Hackett

“COVID-19 has definitely been disruptive to my family and my life. Although my career is as demanding as ever—personal, relaxing activities have all but dried up. No movies, museums, travel, etc., and my daughters’ spring/summer jobs were canceled. My family grew up around surf/skate culture, so this summer I have been helping the girls with the launch of their own surf/skate brand: Nippy Surf, a nod to chillier waters. They are doing all the work getting the website ready, designing merchandise, etc. I just helped out with the logo and branding. It has been nice to work as a family on this.”

Lisa Davis, Director of Business Development, Bonduelle Fresh Americas

“After Greg (Corrigan) and I had our honeymoon, I decided to add to our plate: We bought a cabin. I mean ‘we’ cause we both paid for it, but it is actually me that pulled the trigger—thanks, Greg! This has become our COVID sanctuary and hobby and has led to several weekly deliveries from Joss and Main, and Costco. Every day is like Christmas! That has consumed us in a good way. For me, the Peloton app has been my workout bliss. I have discovered so much more than the bike and it has helped me kind of run again.”

Feeling like sharing some of your new or reinvigorated hobbies and activities? Shoot me a note, and let’s celebrate and commiserate together!