

We caught up with Dana on her front porch as she was planning to plant her vegetable garden.
It’s two-fold. 1. Financial and 2. Focus. A flood of ideas in the morning from new product ideas to how to market them are easily stymied by an inability to focus. I can be quite overwhelmed by the situation. These two challenges are frustrating. So, I’m trying to slow down. Not just react and allow myself to do what I can do. I’ve been connecting more with our community, showing a bit more of who we are lately and more of our process than I did before. Also reaching out more to friends and colleagues for input and balance.
​Again, I’ve been allowing myself to slow down and accept that I might not be able to do all the things I feel I should be doing. And doing the best I can to let go of the idea that I can control things that are truly out of my control. At the same time, I’m open to doing new things or adjusting how I do my work.
"MUSIC, EXERCISE, COOKING AND MY DOGS ARE THE THINGS THAT KEEP ME CALM, BALANCED AND GROUNDED. MY FIRST TRUE LOVE IS MUSIC AND I’VE GONE BACK TO LISTENING TO THE MUSIC THAT FORMED MY BEING WHEN I WAS YOUNG, AND IT FEELS REALLY GOOD."
I also love to cook and I’m taking the days when we are running low on ingredients as great creative challenges to see what I can come up with, so I can keep my shopping to once a week. I’ve found lots of workouts on YouTube along with live Facebook workouts on the weekend with my brother-in-law (a personal trainer). And our two dogs, Brooklyn and Finn, are just pure joy and comfort.
​Moments of joy have come from seeing friends from 6 feet away on a walk, or a friend dropping off some treats from a farm, or a Zoom party with my former Elektra Records colleagues. In those moments I realize we’re not alone and we won’t be by ourselves forever. Cooking and plating have nourished my creativity. I do it for myself and my husband. No pressure, just freedom to make something special for someone I love.
​I’m truly grateful that we and our families are healthy. But also, that so many people are showing us great support during this unfortunate time. The silver lining has certainly been an increased closeness to others and great acts of kindness.