Has the coronavirus pandemic made us more resilient?

This artisan-made clothing designer reveals how the pandemic has impacted her professionally and personally.

Zoe’s Periwinkle Trapeze Top in Mid Weight Hemp/Tencel accessorizes nicely with a Lilac Scarf with Gold Border made with the Light Weight version of that fabric.

In the past couple of years that old expression about best-laid plans has come to mind more than once. When I last posted late in 2021, I had planned to be away most of January attending a family memorial and reunion on the east coast. But then two of the key planners came down with covid (they're better now) and the event had to be scrapped.

As spiritual leaders from both east and west have observed over the millennia, the only certainty is change. And the pandemic, for better and worse, has helped bring that reality home for many of us. Faced with a canceled trip, and not mentally ready to plunge back into Sympatico business as usual turned out to be surprisingly liberating. For much of January I invented my agenda each day, delving into things I’d not likely do had I not been granted this “downtime.” Though it's fair to say I still feel socially starved, I’ve found staying loose in the midst of uncertainty has been refreshing and sanity-preserving. I liken it to how I often travel overseas with only the loosest of itineraries, waiting to see what turns up.

Thanks to some brilliant spring-like weather in January, we spent a lot of time outdoors working on making our home and land more defensible during wildfires. That’s not to say I’ve neglected Sympatico entirely. With spring in mind I’m developing three new colors with Sympatico’s dyer as well as restocking in Plum—a perennial favorite. (More on the new shades soon!) Speaking of which, if you don’t see your preferred color and size on the website, can cut and sew the item to order at no extra charge as long as I have fabric on hand. Call me at 541-899-3988 or email me here to check on fabric availability. You’ll find details about custom cuts and alterations here.

I’ve also continued exploring various dyeing techniques and materials, some of which you’ll find in Sympatico's scarf collection. Because I’m very much still in a learning mode, mistakes and misfires are common. As those "learning experiences" emerge from the dye bath, I find myself growing more resilient when faced with less than pleasant realities Figuring out why those failed experiments happen is all part of the process.

What about you? How are you coping? What works for you?