Stay Connected, Stay Happy

by Ashley Barnes Dumat, Rho Omicron (Middle Tennessee State U), International Vice President

Happy spring, AOII sisters!

As I write this, I am quarantined in my home; as you read this, you are most likely quarantined in your home as well. What unprecedented, strange, and surreal times we’re living in right now. I hope all of our AOII sisters are acclimating to this new—and thankfully temporary—normal.

Having to stay at home has created opportunities for all of us to adapt in order to move forward. For example, many of our collegiate chapters have transitioned to holding chapter meetings and Leaders’ Council meetings via Zoom, and our AOII Headquarters staff has been working remotely for a couple of weeks so far. I myself have joined Zoom meetings and conferences that typically would have been held in-person, and I’m sure many people reading this have done the same.

Our time at home doesn’t have to be all virtual meetings and business, though! Here are some fun ideas and social media follows/activities you can do in and around your home:

• Using this time to hone your cooking skills? Instagram to the rescue! Some of my favorite Instagram cooking accounts are @halfbakedharvest (hearty, amazing food), @veganbowls (plant-based deliciousness), and @brownedbutterblondie (comforting sweets).
• Maintaining our physical health is key right now. Just getting outside to enjoy the nicer weather that comes with spring can boost your mood, so why not take a walk or go for a run in your neighborhood (socially distant, of course)? If at-home exercise is more your thing, there are many online options for things like yoga, pilates, Zumba, and even Crossfit!
• Join a Netflix Party to watch Netflix and chat in real time with your friends! Netflix Party is available on Google Chrome and is another really fun way to connect and react to whatever you’re watching together.
• Many celebrities and artists are going live on Instagram and Facebook these days. John Legend, Pink, Brad Paisley, and so many more have performed live concerts for all of us staying home. One of my favorite Instagram follows has been DJ D-Nice (@dnice), who hosts the Club Quarantine dance party several times per week from his account.

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  Have a virtual happy hour or dinner party with your sisters! AOII HQ Staff and Executive Board members recently had a virtual happy hour, and it was a huge hit! My local Alumnae Chapter dinner group has done this twice as well. It’s so wonderful to be able to connect and see the smiling faces of sisters and friends during this time of social distancing.

It’s important for all of us to maintain social distancing guidelines right now, but it’s also incredibly important to STAY CONNECTED! Be safe, healthy, and happy, sisters!