Pandemic Perspectives: Doing the tango during COVID-19 restrictions

It was Mar.8three days before the pandemic was declared.

I was at Aladin's Pizzeria & Shawarma Place in Winnipeg, confirmingthe cateringmenu for my upcoming milestone birthday party.There would be an Aladdin theme,withdecorations and prizes, dinner and dancing.

It was going to be a party like no other.

Before COVID-19hit, I was an extrovert, a homestaymom to international students, a planner of big dinner partiesand the person known to bring yummy snacks to tango milongas (Argentinian dance events).At work,I had frequent chats with co-workers at my door as I bustled about.

I've dreamtof being the best Argentine tango dancer I could be.- Rebecca Hiebert

When I came home, I would talk to my international student about her day, do activities with her, make new recipes together and enjoy having her friends come over. I regularly went to the airportto go on tripsand to receive or send off the students I was hosting.

I remember thinking that I was too busy. That I needed the world to stop for me.

Now, it appears it has.

The wholeworld has stopped. I now feel more like a quiet introvert. My dinner table is no longer used for hostingguests. My work contacts consistofonline meetings and email exchanges. I eat what's in the house and rarely follow a recipe.

I don't travel far from home now; except for the trip to myparents in southern Manitoba and to run errands. I rarely use mycar or go to the airport. I have become a homebody.

Changing perspective

Before the pandemic, I read parts of abook calledA Beautiful Constraint: How To Transform Your Limitations into Advantages and Why it's Everyone's Business.Ithelped change my perspective about this pandemic.

I'm constantly thinking, "how can I make this all work for me instead of against me?"

Working at home meant no walk to work, and it meant a default pattern of sitting eight to 10 hours a day. Within a short period of time I noticed neck and shoulder pain. To solve this, I set up a homemade standing desk so I can move, stretch and work on my posture while I work.

The next problem, is, of course, the ever-present screen time. I now position my laptop facing a window so I can regularly look out. This provides me with more opportunities to take mini (visual) nature breaks, reduce neck stress and prevent eye strain.

Friendships nowhave more depth than breadth. Instead of parties with large groups, this summer andfall I regularly hosted suppers for a few close friends, eating outside, six feet apart,on my "pandemic patio."

The pandemic won't last forever.- Rebecca Hiebert

Since my first exposureto tango classes six years ago, I've dreamtof being the best Argentine tango dancer I could be. So one of the hardest limitations for me nowis not being able to dance with my Argentine tango community.

But as a result of the pandemic,world-class Argentine tango performers are teaching tango on Zoom for discount prices. And I now have the time to take these classes.

Keep it simple

My day now is very simple. I sleep as long as possible. Some nights are interruptedby bad dreams, so I wake just in time to walk groggily across the hall to settle into my home office.

Other days I have time for a bit of yoga,or a brief walk. I have a Zoom tango class every day.

After work, I gofor a brisk 45-minutewalk. Each evening, I do chores or home improvement projects, and experiment with movie editingor practicingdance. I've actually converted a room of my house into mypractice studio, with floor space, a dance bar and mirrors on the wall.

The pandemic won't last forever. I get hope from the little things in life:watching my sprouts growing, my sourdough culture rising, a beautiful piece of art, a child smiling or a squirrelscampering along. I findjoy spending time in nature.

But above all, it is spending time daily with the people in my personal bubblethat brings me the most joy.

Party time

Whenthis is all over, I plan to host the big party that I referred to earlier the onethat I had to cancel due to COVID-19.

It was going to feature my first everpublic tango performance, followed by an evening of dancing and socializing with people from the many communities I am apart of.

It was going to be called "A Magical Night,"and it still will.

The title now seems even more appropriatewhen the pandemic is over it will truly feel magical to once again dance in close embrace on a crowded dance floor and hug each other freely.

CBC's Pandemic Perspectivesis a series that invites Manitobans to share their personal perspectives on the collective experience of life during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pandemic Perspectives

4 years ago

Duration 1:11

Rebecca Hiebert shares her tips on how she copes during the pandemic.

This column is part ofCBC's Opinion section.For more information about this section, please read thiseditor's blogand ourFAQ.

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