Cold Weather? No Problem.
Most of the country has been paralyzed recently and for the first time in many months it is not due to health concerns. We have been socially distancing for over a year now and as a result we are more prepared to handle the current challenge. This is not a new obstacle to conquer but one that our ancestors learned to cope with long ago, the weather.
Across most of the country, winter cold fronts, and even snow, have crippled our ability to commute to different places. Even a trip to the grocery store is a bigger risk then we want to take. The roads are icy, and the risk of hypothermia exists if we were to get trapped outside or without heat in our homes. In past years this would have caused major disruptions in our lives, but the challenges of the past year have ensured we are better prepared to tackle the hardship of weather than ever before.
Work and School from Home
A vast majority of us worked or attended classes from the comforts of our home in 2020 and even though many of us have since returned to the classroom and office, although not all of us, the framework created for remote working and learning still exists. If it is not safe to wait outside for a school bus or travel safely to work, we can simply adjust our plans. We no longer need to cancel our important meeting because of a snow day, we simply switch them to calls or video chats. Years ago, a school shut down could put a lesson plan seriously behind, but now teachers can simply e-mail out assignments and host a virtual classroom to ensure students do not fall behind. We spent a lot of time last year talking about the challenges that the pandemic created, it is now time we start embracing the solutions we have made to these problems. Remote learning and working do get tiring and boring after a long period of time but being able to utilize the systems we created to do these things long term in the future will help limit the effect of poor weather. We now can do most things from the comfort of our home. When it is not safe to drive or travel do the responsible thing and use remote technology. We can embrace the systems we built for other issues to our advantage.
Delivery Options
Driving to the store to get food for the week or even supplies for a project used to be a necessary step. However, the last year has created a whole logistical network that makes leaving the house almost unnecessary. There are countless ways to get fresh foods and consumer products delivered to almost anywhere in a timely manner. When we think about quick delivery, we often think about Amazon Prime. This is a company that has made billions of dollars by offering almost anything delivered to your home within 48 hours; however, many of us do not think about other local options. Most major companies have some sort of delivery options. Some companies like Instacart, UberEats, and DoorDash offer a local delivery service for many small businesses as well. This is a great way to support local and regional businesses in addition to getting almost anything we need. So, make sure to take advantage of these services. It is good for the economy and it enables us to weather the storm in the comfort of our own homes. Finally, remember to tip your delivery person. Often this is their best source of income.
Remember to Have Fun
Many regions across the country will be and have gotten snow recently. For some of us this is par for the course but for others snowing in their hometown is a rare treat. This does cause some hazardous issues mainly because certain areas of the country are not prepared and do not have snowplows waiting. Why would they, after all if it rarely snows it is not worth paying for them. Many people get so nervous that their city would not be prepared that we forget to embrace the moment. If you rarely get snow go outside and have some fun with it. Find a random piece of cardboard or foam and make a sled. You can make snowmen or snow forts and even have a snowball fight. Unusually cold weather can be scary, but it can be fun as well. Do not spend all your time thinking about the hassle and danger of large snowstorms but think of all the fun memories you can make. Winter is a magical time and even though it can be unpleasant it can also be wonderful, so try to focus on the positives.
Cold weather and snow can be crippling to an area. It can disrupt our normal routines and can make travel hazardous. However, we must remember that every time God closes a door, he opens a window. Find that opportunity to make a change and turn something negative into a positive. Finally, we now have the logistical tools to do almost anything remotely. Do not forget about them and use them to ensure you do not miss a beat when stuck at home. Stay warm and stay safe.