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Tag: COVID-19

How to Enjoy a Rainy Day with an iPhone and a GoPro during COVID-19

If you’re concerned about social-distancing challenges at the beach, consider this strategy to avoid the crowds.

Everything is the opposite these days. Well, it certainly feels that way with all of the new anti-social norms that are fusing into our daily lives.

I’ve got just two words to say about this right now…

It’s complicated.

But general human avoidance does seem like a best practice for the foreseeable future.

Practicing the New Art of Avoiding Humanity

It’s all about figuring out where lots of folks aren’t go be. 

Doing the opposite.

So when the Saturday weather forecast predicted lots of rain, that was my cue to activate our family beach-day plan (or at least a brief visit).

Fortunately, the storm took its time arriving, and there was wasn’t a drop of precipitation until after we returned home. But the threat was enough to keep the throngs of beach-deprived, COVID-19-weary people away. 

And that’s exactly what I was counting on. I brought my GoPro along to capture our moment in the happy emptiness.

Raining on your Parade?

When the downpour finally arrived, and I heard the sudden impact of a thousand rain drops on our roof, I closed my eyes and searched for another opposite reaction.

Then, I grabbed my waterproof iPhone and raincoat and ran outside as the deluge was still at its early peak.

My goal?

…to explore what I usually try to avoid.

Raindrops.

Getting soaking wet isn’t so bad if that’s part of the plan.

Especially when the other part is attempting to snap a few shots of rain in flight and after arrival. 

Enjoy your Opposite

In times like these, you’ve got to get a little creative to hold onto your own balance. And that might involve getting out of your comfort zone.

So, try spending some time examining the opposite and chasing your own raindrops.

You might discover your own private beach.

Time to Explore the Expanse of your Shrinking Space

You don’t always have to worry about the big picture. Here are eight ways I’ve expanded my view by focusing on the small.

If you’re feeling like your world continues to shrink around you after weeks of sheltering at home, you’re certainly not alone. 

Here’s one suggestion to help rebalance your equilibrium: 
Pay more attention to what’s right in front of you. There’s actually a lot to see. 

You might be pleasantly surprised!

Open your Eyes and See the Beauty
If it’s at all possible to spend a little more time with Mother Nature while also practicing social distancing, of course now is the perfect time to take a closer look. In fact, get really close and narrow your focus.

And you don’t necessarily have to travel far to explore the intensities of spring. It’s amazing what’s right in front of you when you zoom in your view a bit.

Here’s what I found…

Narrow your View to Find Relief
So, instead of yearning for what is currently unavailable, I say let’s take advantage of all of that beauty nature has provided.

Sometimes, you’ve just got to pay a little more attention to the smaller details.

How Sheltering at Home Helped Me to Find Spring

So, this is a story that boils down to simply opening your eyes and paying attention to your surroundings. But sometimes it takes a pandemic to help you reshuffle your priorities…

It’s important to look for bright spots as we travel through this COVID-19 alternate reality.

For me, one of the few upsides has been the opportunity to pay more attention to the wonders of the early days of springtime, when nature starts to kick it into high gear. Those wonderful buds suddenly appear and the colors begin to pop. Before you know it, there are flowers everywhere.

But it happens so quickly. During every other year I can remember, I never paid enough attention to it all. I was too busy moving and driving and focused elsewhere. And then the renewal would be gone. The greens not so bright. The tree blossoms all gone. Till the following year.

Well, 2020, of course, has been different. Social distancing and sheltering at home provided the perfect opportunity for me to simply look out the window and actually see spring taking hold.

And I’m also happy to report that I took advantage of the early morning hours over the past weeks to get out and capture a few video time-lapses and nature b-roll with my DJI Osmo Pocket camera.

Yes, I tracked the early spring that I discovered all around me and then edited the imagery together in under a minute. My little video project made me smile. Perhaps it will do the same for you. Please take a look.

This year, I didn’t miss spring.
And I am glad.

I pledge not to forget this practice next year, when I hope life has returned to normal for all of us.