Staying Hopeful
I wanted to share how I have been keeping hope alive in my heart and soul during COVID-19.
Specifically, by expanding my reach with new virtual experiences.
Beginning in the spring with my first “live” recorded internet event with Sam Piercell, a fitness entrepreneur, from Windsor, Ontario.
F45 "Live" Event: Community Resilience with Dr. Andrea Dinardo
Resilience Habits & Routines
Community members asked stress, wellness, and psychology questions in real time.
Throughout the resilience seminar, I also shared daily habits and thought patterns keeping me healthy during the pandemic.
Optimism, hope, and humour are key factors in health, happiness, and resilience.
Optimism Bootcamp The Drive Magazine
Sharing Our COVID Experiences
Since then, I have been interviewed virtually by:
- Dr. Katherin Garland on Mental Health Matters (watch: video interview).
- Candace Sampson on What She Said Radio (watch: video interview).
We discussed situational and pandemic anxiety, health and positive psychology, time and energy management, social media boundaries, resilience, and thriving under pressure.
2020 “Stretch” Goals
- GOAL: Stay Connected to each other in new and novel ways.
- HOW: Interactive LIVE “Q & A” conversations in real time.
- MEDIUM: ZOOM, INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE.
Adapting to the New Normal
In the past, online interactions were “an extra” to everyday conversation.
Now “the virtual life” is a necessity for both our personal and professional lives.
An important and crucial way to stay connected to both our dreams and each other.
2020 is the World’s Classroom
PSYCHOLOGY TEACHING ONLINE - BEHIND THE SCENES: 1. What It's Like to Be a Professor During Global Pandemic 2. "Live" Online Psychology Class
Hope and Change
“Adapt or Die” may sound harsh.
But adaptation is truly what’s being asked of us in every area of our lives right now.
So I figure I might as well jump right in!
Because I would rather ride the wave, than have the wave ride me. 🌊
What’s Next?
VIRTUAL KEYNOTE: Healthy Workplace Awards
Thriving Under Pressure 
Stay safe and well, hopeful and inspirational, Dr. D.!!
Thank you so much. You too Crystal!
Wishing you health Andrea. Blessings to you and your family 🙏🏽❤️🤗
Thanks so much Syl! Wishing you the same and more.
You’re very welcome! Thank you! There is abundant peace within 🙏🏽🌞🌷🐰❤️
It shows!
🌷🍃💚
Love this post Dr. Andrea.💖
Thank you! Resilience has never been more important.
Something I contemplate with F45 Owner Samantha here:
Let me know your thoughts.
Okay, will check it out! Have a sparkly day ahead 🧚🏻♀️
Thank you Saania! You too 💎💕
Riding the tide, beautiful!!
Even better because we’re riding the wave together Stormie! 🌊 #bethechange 🌊
Aaah, that’s beautiful…yes🥀🕊💕
Andrea, I love your attitude about the waves.
Praying you are staying healthy and well.
Also I have nominated you for the Vincent Ehindero Blogger Award.
Stay safe!
Thank you Gail! 🙏💗☀️
Pragmatism is something I strive for – in my teaching and my writing.
You are the master – common sense and solid advice!
Thanks for watching our “live interview” VJ ☀️
As a fellow teacher, your feedback is everything.
Being practical in life and advice is my mission.
Baby steps. Daily.
Pragmatic are our middle names.
You are right. We reflect the best in one another.
Andrea, you’re amazing! I’ve just now finished watching the recorded zoom call and I LOVED IT!
You’re so natural, refreshingly down to earth, so motivating and I relate so deeply with all you said.
Honestly, I got so much out of your words, it was like I was right there in your kitchen with you!
Love what you said about the importance of routine, of embodying the moment and making the best of this time, as hard as it is.
We can all be resilient and our best but it’s always a choice isn’t it.
Thank you for being a wonderfully motivating light.
I feel blessed to be connected to you.
Love and hugs from down under. xx 💕😍
Words cannot describe how grateful I am that you outlined the moments that resonated with you!! 🇦🇺💕
FULL CIRCLE HOPE
For April 20, I have been hired by the Student Council at St. Clair College to produce an original video for 2020 college graduates on keeping hope alive and staying resilient in a COVID19 economy.
And now I know which points to emphasize thanks to reflections on the zoom video:
“Love what you said about the importance of routine, of embodying the moment and making the best of this time, as hard as it is. We can all be resilient and our best but it’s always a choice isn’t it.”
SHARING IT FORWARD
Thank you my Aussie friend. Once again, your energy and generosity expands my own. 🌎🙏☀️
I’m so very glad. And congrats to you.
They’ve hired and chosen well.
Honestly Andrea, that casual conversation in your home is probably the most down to earth yet enlightening and hope filled one I’ve heard online.
And I mean that from the bottom of my heart. ❤️
Yes, full circle hope. 🙏🌎
Oh my goodness Miriam. Thank you for embracing my authenticity! I couldn’t help but be myself on that zoom call. Kitchen parties are the best parties after all…
☕️💃☀️
They sure are! 😀🎵🍷
Being resilient and inventive in this pandemic is important to stay happy and healthy.
Routines, habit , resilience. Flexibility and adjusting. Finding happiness in little things.
Amen to all your ideas about health & happiness.
“Simple Things on Repeat” practiced daily = everything.
Especially when it comes to Sustainable Resilience.
I like that resilience circle and the wave surfing imagery.
One of my favorite things to do when the waves aren’t too crazy is to either diver under them of let them lift me up. The idea is to not let them crash right on top of you, knock you down or drag you. Getting a little beyond the crashing place helps.
It reminds me of not putting ourselves in the middle of high risk situations, but seeking that place that gives us a little challenge and time to just float.
Thanks reading and for sharing your ideas Joanna!
Your comments reminds me of a psychology class from a few years back:
GOING WITH THE FLOW
https://drandreadinardo.com/2017/02/02/going-with-the-flow
Thanks for the link. I love the flow chart from drowning to floating to flowing.
2020 has been a difficult year …being locked down…physically distanced from friends..relations.
Online conversations have been the only means of contact.
This year has tested human resilience like nothing else had done ever before…some responded well while some others did collapse.
I myself found internet to be a big saviour..not for communicating but for being creatively busy…have written more than what I had done in the rest of my life put together.
I have taken to online learning of German language…picked up some soap making….all this and more while still doing my professional work with full dedication.
I have also learnt to remain detached…not to put the pressure of my expectations on someone.
You always strike the right chord Dr Andrea.
Stay blessed 🙏😇
Thank you for sharing Krish!
I always appreciate your thoughts & global perspective of resilience.
Dr. Andrea 💭💞
Thank you Dr Andrea..
Stay blessed 🙏😇
Adapting to the ‘new normal’ has been a challenge. When the first lockdown in the UK happened I was determined to be positive on get through this.
Second lockdown it got more difficult, it felt like being beat on when I was starting to think I’d got over the worst.
My life has been adapting to the changes – getting used to having young children constantly around wanting attention while working, spending less time on social media (I don’t need negativity and conspiracy theories!) and also putting myself first as I figure if I don’t look after my wellbeing then I’m no use to anyone else.
Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thank you for reading and sharing your experiences James!
You help me reflect on my own priorities on the ‘battle field’ of covid – more often in my mind than in reality.
Ours are very similar.
1) Avoid superfluous information overload (the broadcasters and social media’rs are just trying to get likes and attention)
2) Stay Hopeful & Positive (this too shall pass)
3) Continually re-focus on TOP 3 priorities
– something I talk 60 seconds into the video below:
Everything beyond my TOP 3 priorities.. is an “extra” in COVID-19.
SAVE YOUR ENERGY FOR WHAT MATTERS MOST
“It’s not just about now, it’s about what brought you to now.” Yep. Thanks, Andrea.
Right?!
thanks for watching the video
I call it “stress/pandemic amnesia”…
The instant stress hits, we forget all we’ve overcome in years gone by.
It may feel like a century in the moment, but one day, we’ll look back and realize it was only a moment in time.
That’s why I love your writing so much Mitch!
HUMOUR + FAITH HELPS BREAK ‘THE SPELL’.
Even in my military Warrant Officer Candidate School, we are using virtual learning for those who may have been exposed to COVID-19 so they can remain on-track with us. The world is changing, and I think a lot of good is coming out of some of the new habits we’re learning. It takes adjusting, but as resilient creatures, we have the capacity. We just need the drive.
I love your attitude and approach to the pandemic!
Especially ow how your work in military is transitioning in COVID-19. It opens my eyes to all the incredible learning and adapting that is going on worldwide.
” The world is changing, and I think a lot of good is coming out of some of the new habits we’re learning. It takes adjusting, but as resilient creatures, we have the capacity. We just need the drive.”
I am 100 on board with this ^ perspective.
Long time Andrea, good to meet up again.
Hope all is well. All ok here so far🙏.
Now it’s time to catch up with your posts
and to copy your helpful diagrams in my journal.
Take care 🙂🙏❤️💁🏻♀️☘️
Welcome Back!! I missed seeing you and your fabulous insights on my psychology blog.❤️
Thank you Andrea ❤️
I was scrolling through your blog and decided to re-read this. And what struck me today is adapting to new norms, learning to ride the wave cause the waves keep coming. We gotta dance the dance of life. And a good solid ‘fill your cup’ routine is essential to riding the waves, resilience and feeling well in utter chaos.
I do like to re-read as I always find some other gem to contemplate.
I love that you come back to read and reflect. Your ideas have ‘filled my cup’ which is running low today as I wrap up the Fall semester. Thank you for this!