Deep breath. It’s been a week like no other. 

I can see the cruise ship (yes, the one with the 21 coronavirus patients) docked in the port of Oakland from my window as I type this.

This is not another email to suggest you wash your hands or to practice social distancing (you already know that!), although I’ll admit my own hands have never been so scrubbed in my life. 🙂

Instead, I’d like to share a personal story. You’ll see how it ties to current events in a minute.

I stepped into the shower in December 2007, 4 months after a clear mammogram. The next moment was that moment no woman ever wants to experience. A lump. Yes, it turned out to be breast cancer. And, yes, it was awful. 

And while cancer doesn’t discriminate, it still felt unfair. I’d been eating organic food and exercising regularly. I was even using clean beauty products, long before they were available outside the aisles of Whole Foods. How could I possibly be the one to be stricken?

In a strange way, though, 2008 turned into an important year. 

Healing was challenging, but it forced me to slow down. I found the time and space to reflect on what I could and couldn’t control. To think about what really matters in this short time we have on earth. 

I also confronted an important deficit in my otherwise pretty healthy lifestyle. To be honest, I’m good at worrying. Sometimes in pretty epic proportions. 

So, this is my personal outlook on the way events are unfolding:

1. Times are stressful, but it’s important to not let the stress turn into an illness of its own.

I’ve been working hard to control what I can – and to not ruminate excessively over what I can’t. I try to meditate, get out into my little garden, and use my favorite app the Daily Calm.

2. Act with others in mind.

Breast cancer was my personal illness; I could be surrounded by loved ones with no fear of transmitting it. Now, we need to act with others in mind.

Even if you’re young and healthy, we all have parents, grandparents and loved ones with less stable immune systems. A small “risk” of unnecessary mingling for one of us could cause someone else to pay a high price.

I’ve also been preparing to be housebound for an extended period – but trying to remain mindful of not hoarding.

3. This is a time to be generous when possible.

I’ve canceled my gym workouts – but will pay my instructor. I can afford it and he’s an independent contractor with a family. When tipping, I remind myself that people are feeling exceptionally vulnerable right now, and to err in their favor. This week at NakedPoppy, we’re sending our returns off to Project Beauty Share, an organization that gives makeup to women in need.

We really are all in this together. I’d love to know your thoughts during this challenging time and, if you’d care to share them, just comment below.

May you, your loved ones, and the entire community stay healthy.

Jaleh 
NakedPoppy co-founder and CEO

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