It’s May 8, 2020, and we’ve all been self-isolating since mid-March. Everyone is trying to figure out a new way to keep some income coming in, including me.

Everyone is pivoting. While of course we’re all stressed out, in an attempt to focus on the positive, it’s good to see businesses and individuals figure out a new way to stay afloat.

Businesses that weren’t social media savvy won’t let themselves be caught with their pants down again. They’ll get websites or update any that are neglected, get their Facebooks pages going, Instagram and Twitter accounts sorted, and learn to update on a daily basis to keep their customers in the loop on how to make non-contact purchases.

Restaurants of any kind will have take-out or ready-made grab-and-go options. Clothing chains will have a few standard pieces that won’t change for the foreseeable future, so you can just order them online, knowing they’ll fit. Makeup companies will do the same with their colour palettes.

I’m seeing musicians who didn’t build a social media following realizing that not all posts are frivolous or mindless and it is possible to make intelligent posts that aren’t all “me, me, me”. They are building their online fan base now. Musicians who are already active online are investing in high quality mics for at-home performances. Everyone has learned how to Zoom.

For me, I know I won’t be styling photo shoots anytime soon, or returning to working retail which I did during my 40’s, something I really loved – working the fitting room of Banana Republic and later on, Ann Taylor. It’s exhausting work, but I loved making a difference to people needing a wardrobe for various occasions, from a first date somewhere posh, to returning to work after a mat leave, a big job interview, or some other milestone.

I am pivoting by moving my students’ piano lessons online, and I got my teaching website up, pianoteacherliz.com – something I’d been meaning to do for a couple of years, and the pandemic forced me to get on it. If people need their wardrobes weeded out, I can do that online. When it’s okay to gather again, and if the client is still not comfortable having me wear a mask and style them up close, I will carry on choosing their wardrobe in advance online, which is something I did anyway. I needed to see them on camera, and see how their clothes looked on camera.

We’re all pivoting. How are you pivoting during this time? I’d love to hear your stories.

Liz