Skip to content
  • About Us
  • News & Insights
  • Member Directory
  • Job Board
  • Sign In
  • Join
Home > Thought Leadership > One Bostonians Guide to Surviving vs. Thriving in Quarantine
Boston Chamber
  • Become a Member
        • Become a Member

          • Overview
          • Membership Benefits
          • Membership Levels
          • Member Stories
          • Request a Meeting
          • Join Today
        • ...
          About Us
          Get to Know the Chamber

          Discover our mission, values, and leadership.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Member Benefits
          Grow Your Business

          Explore benefits that power your success.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Membership Directory
          Not Sure if You’re a Member?

          Browse our directory to connect with other members.

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Events & Networking
        • Events & Networking

          • Overview
          • Upcoming Events
          • Limited Series
          • Chamber Awards
          • Foundation Initiatives
        • WHAT’S NEXT

          ...
          Upcoming Events
          Engage & Learn

          Explore opportunities to connect and grow.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • FEATURED EVENT

          ...
          Series
          2025 Government Affairs Forum | Congressman Richard Neal

          Be in the room as Congressman Neal addresses the Greater Boston business community.

          11/13/2025

          2:45pm - 4:00pm

          Nutter

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMMING:

          • Annual & Premier Events
          • Economic Inclusion
          • Small Business & Entrepreneurship
          • Digital Media & Marketing
          • Public Policy
          • Professional Development
          • Women’s Network
          • Workforce Development
          • Young Professionals Network
          • VIEW ALL PROGRAMMING
  • Member Engagement
        • Member Engagement

          • Member Resources
          • Member Deals
          • Sponsorship Opportunities
          • Small Business Benefits
          • Connect with your Member Services Rep
          • Member Spotlights
          • Sign In
        • ...
          Inside the Program: Info Session & Cocktail Reception

          Join us in person to learn about Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL), a prestigious leadership program shaping top talent across Greater Boston. Hear from alumni, explore the application process, and stay for networking and refreshments.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Membership Directory
          Not Sure if You’re a Member?

          Browse our directory to connect with other members.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Upcoming Events
          Stay Involved

          Join experiences that build relationships and spark ideas.

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Talent & Workforce
        • Talent & Workforce

          • Professional Development
          • Workforce Development
          • Open Programs
          • DEI Resource Hub
          • Insights
        • WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (FOUNDATION) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          Boston’s Future Leaders

          Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.

          Read More
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

          Read More
          Strategic Communication for Better Collaboration

          Level up your leadership and communication in this Boston Chamber workshop for professionals—gain essential skills in team alignment.

          Read More
          Partnership with Boston Public Schools 

          The Chamber Foundation invites the business community to engage with Boston Public Schools leaders and their students to help build the future workforce.

          Read More
  • Policy & Impact
        • Policy & Impact

          • Overview
          • Leadership Councils
          • Amicus Advisory Board
          • Government Affairs Forum
          • Eds & Meds Report
        • GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

          Business Climate
          Read More
          Climate & Energy
          Read More
          Health Care
          Read More
          Housing & Development
          Read More
          Talent
          Read More
          Transportation
          Read More
  • Foundation
        • Foundation

          • About
          • Board of Directors
          • Our Funders
          • Upcoming Events
          • Donate
        • ...
          Our Mission
          Expanding Opportunity

          Learn how we advance talent and small business growth.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Foundation Initiatives
          Programming That Empowers

          Explore our key priorities and strategic efforts.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Upcoming Events
          Get Involved

          Join us at our next Foundation event.

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Join
Bostonchamber
Boston Chamber
  • Become a Member
        • Become a Member

          • Overview
          • Membership Benefits
          • Membership Levels
          • Member Stories
          • Request a Meeting
          • Join Today
        • ...
          About Us
          Get to Know the Chamber

          Discover our mission, values, and leadership.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Member Benefits
          Grow Your Business

          Explore benefits that power your success.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Membership Directory
          Not Sure if You’re a Member?

          Browse our directory to connect with other members.

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Events & Networking
        • Events & Networking

          • Overview
          • Upcoming Events
          • Limited Series
          • Chamber Awards
          • Foundation Initiatives
        • WHAT’S NEXT

          ...
          Upcoming Events
          Engage & Learn

          Explore opportunities to connect and grow.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • FEATURED EVENT

          ...
          Series
          2025 Government Affairs Forum | Congressman Richard Neal

          Be in the room as Congressman Neal addresses the Greater Boston business community.

          11/13/2025

          2:45pm - 4:00pm

          Nutter

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMMING:

          • Annual & Premier Events
          • Economic Inclusion
          • Small Business & Entrepreneurship
          • Digital Media & Marketing
          • Public Policy
          • Professional Development
          • Women’s Network
          • Workforce Development
          • Young Professionals Network
          • VIEW ALL PROGRAMMING
  • Member Engagement
        • Member Engagement

          • Member Resources
          • Member Deals
          • Sponsorship Opportunities
          • Small Business Benefits
          • Connect with your Member Services Rep
          • Member Spotlights
          • Sign In
        • ...
          Inside the Program: Info Session & Cocktail Reception

          Join us in person to learn about Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL), a prestigious leadership program shaping top talent across Greater Boston. Hear from alumni, explore the application process, and stay for networking and refreshments.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Membership Directory
          Not Sure if You’re a Member?

          Browse our directory to connect with other members.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Upcoming Events
          Stay Involved

          Join experiences that build relationships and spark ideas.

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Talent & Workforce
        • Talent & Workforce

          • Professional Development
          • Workforce Development
          • Open Programs
          • DEI Resource Hub
          • Insights
        • WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (FOUNDATION) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          Boston’s Future Leaders

          Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.

          Read More
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

          Read More
          Strategic Communication for Better Collaboration

          Level up your leadership and communication in this Boston Chamber workshop for professionals—gain essential skills in team alignment.

          Read More
          Partnership with Boston Public Schools 

          The Chamber Foundation invites the business community to engage with Boston Public Schools leaders and their students to help build the future workforce.

          Read More
  • Policy & Impact
        • Policy & Impact

          • Overview
          • Leadership Councils
          • Amicus Advisory Board
          • Government Affairs Forum
          • Eds & Meds Report
        • GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

          Business Climate
          Read More
          Climate & Energy
          Read More
          Health Care
          Read More
          Housing & Development
          Read More
          Talent
          Read More
          Transportation
          Read More
  • Foundation
        • Foundation

          • About
          • Board of Directors
          • Our Funders
          • Upcoming Events
          • Donate
        • ...
          Our Mission
          Expanding Opportunity

          Learn how we advance talent and small business growth.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Foundation Initiatives
          Programming That Empowers

          Explore our key priorities and strategic efforts.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Upcoming Events
          Get Involved

          Join us at our next Foundation event.

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Join
  • About Us
  • News & Insights
  • Member Directory
  • Job Board
  • Sign In
  • Join

One Bostonians Guide to Surviving vs. Thriving in Quarantine

April 22, 2020
  • How did you start your day?

My new routine has me taking advantage of the later start, waking up in the 7s vs. usual 5:50AM to make a 6AM class. On days where I have virtual video meetings, I’ll take a little longer to get ready and put on my ‘fancy sweats.’ Then it’s the mandatory cup of tea & daily water refill (via my trusty 64oz water bottle) while watching a small dose of morning news and responding to the latest family/friends group text chains — before settling in to check email/ mentally prepare for my day.

  • What did you have for breakfast?

Standard breakfast is usually a Greek yogurt with berries, cinnamon and a handful of granola. No luck petitioning ‘the kitchen’ for eggs this morning but do occasionally get spoiled by my husband’s boredom with the unexpected omelet.

  • What does your “home office” look like?

Thankfully my office got some TLC this past Fall after a mere 7+ years in our apartment – formally (and still) doubling as our guest room, my protests were finally victorious is procuring a murphy bed installation that I am sincerely grateful for. However, my chair was chosen for looks and not function (read not ergonomic), so some seat cushions are in the mail to support more prolonged sitting.

My office also doubles as my hobby / ‘everything else’ room – I try to keep it neat since I’ve been trying to instill a 10 minute daily mediation practice (impressed by how great some of the apps are!)…. and I’m trying to convince myself to finish a painting I started one summer when beach traffic was unbearable and prompted drawing one instead.

  • How are you communicating with your team(s)?

I am amazed at how much of my personal work world and clients alike have adapted to a remote working culture. All my teams have adopted Microsoft teams w/ video functionality; or for larger meetings use Zoom so you can visually see more people at a time. Seeing people’s homes, pets, etc. has injected a refreshing dose of authenticity as people are showing up as ‘themselves,’ old college sweatshirt and all.

I’ve also found that this time has made me more intentional with reaching out to colleagues and counselees to make sure people feel connected, heard and secure. People need the reassurance that we’ve been here before and we will take the appropriate steps to put our people first. It’s also been a healthy dose of realizing what matters most, from both a work (critical actions/ must-dos) and larger life/ personal perspective.

  • How is COVID-19 changing your current life/role/perspective?

Growing up Greek-American it was instilled in me that ‘it takes a village,’ as my dad is literally from a small village in Evia, GR and my childhood loosely paralleled My Big Fat Greek Wedding (minus the Windex). I always saw my family in business together (yes we had a diner), supporting each other both at work, with childcare, and the overall ups-and-downs of day to day life.

In experiencing COVID-19, I felt an overwhelming sense of needing to support those in my daily life, realizing how incredibly fortunate we are to honestly have relatively dull hardships at the moment (read toilet paper). Both my brother and my two brothers-in-law have small children and are working/ parenting simultaneously; 100s of my colleagues are in the same boat – all the blogs are amazing right now with suggestions for how to keep kids entertained with fun/ educational experiences, but I seriously ask you, how are they supposed to have the time to read the blogs and compile a list of fun things to do while doing the hand-to-hand combat of parenting, working, food shopping/cooking, cleaning, worrying about their jobs/health, etc.? It inspired me to do the online sleuthing for them and compile the attached resources list.

Similarly, many of the team members are finding the isolation hard to stay disciplined, feel connected and sane. Apparently one of my superpowers is organization, so I similarly collected the ‘best practices’ I’ve gathered through online and internally shared articles. I’ve found finding small ways to help others is a genuine way to feel connected during this time of ‘distancing.’

Also, it’s been a reminder of the beautiful oxymoron of how fragile yet strong our society is – swiftly halting business as usual, while prompting an immediate resiliency to support each other. It also speaks to our humanity and our needs as social creatures – reinforcing how much family and community influence happiness. It’s been a time to get quiet and to reflect on what we truly need and value. To paraphrase Brené Brown, it isn’t about “accomplish, acquire, collapse, repeat;” rather as Greg Mckeown writes we should stop celebrating being busy as a measure of importance, the wisdom of life consists of the elimination of the non-essentials and understanding what we truly want to accomplish with the time we have left.

Footer Logo Foundation Logo

Together, we create a powerful ecosystem that drives
business success, strengthens communities, and enhances
Massachusetts’ long-term competitiveness.

265 Franklin Street
Suite 1701
Boston, MA 02110
Get Directions
Contact us
  • Become a Member
  • Events & Networking
  • Member Engagement
  • Talent & Workforce
  • Policy & Impact
  • Foundation
  • Join
  • About Us
  • News & Insights
  • Member Directory
  • Job Board
  • Sign In
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

© 2025 Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.

Popular Resources

  • Small Business  
  • News & Insights  
  • Member Resources  
  • Small Business  
Close