“I think in this time, we have the unique opportunity to stop and focus on what makes us happy and how we can incorporate that into our day-to-day, post quarantine. This is a time of trial and error!”
Emily Radzinski is a bi-coastal public relations professional with experience in the travel and hospitality industries. She had been living in New York City up until the end of March, when she was forced to return home to Los Angeles due to losing her job as a result of the pandemic.
“With a love for culture, travel, and F&B, my goals are to come back into the PR sphere and dive headfirst back into what I love and continue building my career!” She shares of her future aspirations.
Read more about how in the span of just weeks, Emily went from excelling at her fast paced dream PR job in New York City, to working from home at her NYC apartment, to losing her dream job, to moving back across the country to her hometown in California — and the readjustment to this slower pace of life (“they do say baking is the key to the soul, don’t they?” she says of the dozens of banana bread loaves she’s produced since lockdown began) with an incredibly mature, forward looking attitude to make the best of the entire situation:
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced during quarantine/the COVID crisis?
“The biggest challenge I have faced so far has been being laid off from my position at my dream agency. Much like thousands of others around the world, I was now facing this hardship that I thought I would never have to face.
Up until about three weeks after the virus hit New York, I was still working in travel PR and seeing the effects that the virus was having on clients across the world. In constant conversation about what was next for the travel industry, I was constantly digesting information about the virus and how I could help my clients before I really had any chance to think of what was next for my career.
As soon as I got the news about being laid off from my position, it really hit me how this was affecting not just large industries but individuals across the nation. Around the time that I was let go, a few around me had been as well and that really put into perspective how big this world event really is.
I think even now, this is something I am still struggling with and I am doing my best to stay positive around this all.”
Is there anything you feel that this experience has taught you that you’d like to share as inspiration?
“Over the course of this experience, I have learned that despite being separated and adjusting to a whole new lifestyle, everyone is able to come together and keep relationships close. Something that I have found difficult to understand is the idea that we will get through this!
While it may seem that there is no light at the end of the tunnel because of the constant outpouring of new, frightening information, it is important to stay optimistic and know that this too shall pass.”
Has this experience in any way changed the way that you order your priorities in life?
“I definitely think that this experience has changed how I think of my future. Before the virus, I was focused on work and doing what I could to succeed in the workplace. I often benchmarked my success based on how I was performing in my career instead of valuing new experiences and forming social relationships.
Through this event, I have started shifting my priorities to focus on enjoying spending time with my family, how I can make the most of my time through travel after quarantine, and learning new skills that I can use both in and out of the workplace.
I find that I am learning how to feel successful doing normal, everyday things such as putting away the laundry or improving my workout regime. I think zeroing in on the little things is helping me learn the importance of them day by day.”
Where are you living right now, and is this where you permanently reside or is it a temporary living situation due to the pandemic?
“I am currently living with my grandmother during this quarantine. Luckily, my lease in the city ended just as the virus was picking up and I was able to come back to Los Angeles without having to break my lease or continue paying rent.
This is just a temporary living situation during COVID-19 and I hope to be able to find a place either in LA or NYC when the dust settles… I’m sure she would like her normal living situation back as well!”
“Not only am I convinced that I am the new Marie Kondo because my space is spotless, but I also think I am a professional baker as well.“
What has been your general daily routine so far during the pandemic?
“Day to day often varies for me. Generally, I like to wake up, get ready for the day, make my bed (I have to keep some sort of routine right?), and hop into the kitchen to prepare breakfast while I think of the rest of my day.
When COVID was just taking shape and I was still living in New York, I was working from home so I tried to keep my daily routine like I was in the office. For the first few days at home, I tried to apply makeup and get dressed properly but that quickly flew out of the window when I realized that I could sleep in an extra few minutes!
Now, after being laid off, I am focusing on things that make me happy instead of keeping a routine! If this means sleeping in an extra half hour or keeping my messy bun all day, then so be it!
I think in this time, we have the unique opportunity to stop and focus on what makes us happy and how we can incorporate that into our day-to-day, post quarantine. This is a time of trial and error!”
What has your community been doing to fight the rate of transmission?
“Much like most communities around the world, my town is taking precautions by requiring masks and proper sanitation from not only the general public, stores, medical offices, and even public spaces. Anywhere you go, it is rare that you see anyone without a mask outside.
I am very lucky that I live in a county that has had an extremely low amount of cases and they are taking precautions to stop the spread before it affects more people. We have even seen a decrease which has been a light during such a dark time.”
What have you been doing to keep your spirits up on a day-to-day basis?
“I definitely have to say that I have turned to baking and tidying up in this quarantine period! Not only am I convinced that I am the new Marie Kondo because my space is spotless, but I also think I am a professional baker as well.
You’d be shocked at the number of loaves I have turned out in the past three months. They do say that baking is the key to the soul, don’t they? Other than that, I am definitely taking advantage of Zoom, FaceTime, and iMessage to keep in touch with my friends and family.”
Has this travel ban/quarantine situation impacted any important plans you had laid out for the near future?
“Pre-travel ban, My family and I were planning to take a trip to one of our dream destinations, Alaska. Due to the virus, we decided (for the safety of us and others), that it would be best to cancel the trip.
While it is a destination that we have always been looking to visit, it is important that we all abide by the safety precautions put out by WHO and the CDC to aid in the prevention of the further spread.”
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