What Kept You Grounded In 2020?
We survived this year, thanks to our team. And, because most of our events were in little Zoom rooms this year, you may not know who they are.
Today, we’d like to introduce you to eight of this year’s team members—and the mindsets that held them down.
So, what kept you grounded in 2020?
WHO: A’NYSHA AILEEN
bbatx committee member
“Digital drawing has definitely become the primary creative outlet to keep me grounded and bring me joy. I started with daily completed drawings, but I noticed I wasn’t having as much fun. Eventually, I moved to doing whatever felt best for the day. Outside of my drawing practice, I find joy in taking care of my office palm tree. Checking in on her and making sure she has all she needs is a reminder to do the same for myself.”
WHO: AMANDA VAUGHN
bbatx committee member
“2020 has brought about much change, and in a sense I feel it was needed for my personal evolution and growth. As a highly extroverted, self-proclaimed Renaissance woman, I generally tend to fill my space fully with a “the-more-the-merrier” approach. These times existing during a pandemic have signaled a shift in both daily ritual and creative release. I have pivoted my venue-based DJ practice to an at-home mixtape recording studio, play daily backgammon games with my partner, utilize free time for hikes in the hill country, and have opened myself up to embark on new styles of painting. My film camera has provided space for leaving my phone at home sometimes. Overall, this year has slowed down enough to allow me to listen more deeply, so that when it’s time to speak, I actually have something to say.”
WHO: LIZ WHITINGTON
bbatx committee member
“My children have kept me grounded and have made me see beauty in the chaos. I have used this time to lean into the times and experimented with everything and anything to figure out what works for me and my wolfpack (what I call my family.) I stripped everything down to the basics and layered back the things that give me happiness. I have figured out that I am my best when I am a balance of routines with a touch of a chaos to keep me on my toes. The best routine for me is hot tea and face mask before bed while reading or journaling. It's my quiet time and sometimes the only quiet time in my day, as my mornings are full of music to get the family dancing and grooving for the day.”
WHO: DIVINA CENICEROS-DOMINGUEZ
bbatx communications design intern
“Soon after quarantine began, I started planning a blog series (@calienteboss) on Latinidad that I released on September 15—the start of Latinx Heritage Month. I thought that doing it all would help me stay grounded and alert amidst the chaos, but I was wrong. I learned *the hard way* that taking breaks, being patient with myself, and just surviving is what's most important for me right now. I don't have to do everything all at once, especially when it comes at the cost of my joy. So now, I'm doing a lot more Netflix-watching, investing in pretentiously-good coffee, and (despite the chaos) trying my best to live my best, hot girl summer life.”
WHO: SARAH COLBY
bbatx committee member
“I planned to leave my career in tech at some point in 2020 but was scared and stalling. I'd previously left a career in arts nonprofit management to join tech, so I felt quite lost. When the pandemic hit, I was forced to leave my job, slow down, confront, and heal from burnout as I sought new passions that aligned with my creative values. I enrolled in film production and acting classes, explored photography, watercolor and drawing, needle-felting, cross-stitching, hand-balancing, gardening, tarot, candle-making, you name it. I wish I had answers to conclude this spiel, but I am still exploring. :)“
WHO: DIAMOND HAWKINS
bbatx committee member
“During this WILD time, I've taken my energy to build a company focused on inclusive beauty, Pothos Beauty! It really brings me joy! When I am not building the company, I spend time painting, reading, learning and connecting with friends digitally. I've also have taken my cooking skills to the next level (P.S: I think I am restaurant-worthy!) Playlist curation has also been such a vibe for me!!”
WHO: HALI MARTIN
bbatx committee member
“At the beginning of the quarantine, my partner and I started walking all the neighboring streets from our home. Then we started driving to new neighborhoods and walking two or three miles. These walks helped give us time outside of our home, now the 'everything place'. We continued this when we got a dog in September, now getting to know the neighborhood dogs and their families. We also started reading Crazy Rich Asians out loud in the evenings. It helped make reading, a solitary activity, into one that both has us laughing until we are crying and rushing through dinner to read the next chapter together.“
WHO: JEN RODRIGUEZ (aka Chef JRodi)
bbatx committee member
“My faith keeps me going, ‘I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,’ which feeds my current mantra, 'trust the gift.' I've chosen to disconnect from the chaos, it does not feed me but distracts me from accomplishing my goals and passions. When not in the kitchen, I'm creating new menus and recipes, writing novels (hope to finish one—one day), reorganizing a room or taking Sunday drives to see the changing seasons. Routines aren't my strongest suit (haha), my mind goes in too many directions at once to stay on track, but that's what makes me unique—that I can create a menu in one breath, then decide to redesign a room or read old novel excerpts to 'hey, should I build a garden?' moments. Each never-ending road expands my creative world and opens the door to new possibilities to keep growing, blossoming my soul.“
See you in 2021.
You can learn more about how to get involved with bbatx next year here.