Taking a Pause: Intentional Storytelling for Dialogue, Connection, and Support

Bevin K. Shagoury, Communications & Education Director

Tags: COVID-19

It's a time when continuous comparisons of the COVID-19 era to that of the Spanish Flu of 1918 are frequent. More than 100 years later, we've moved from telegrams to Instagram--staying connected seems like it'd be easier than ever. With so many channels and platforms available to stay on top of the ever-changing influx of info on the current state of healthcare, why do we so often feel less connected? 

We're speaking, but we're having a hard time listening. We're viewing, but we're not reading. With platforms like Twitter, output is the main focus. Sure, we scroll through others' feeds, leave comments and likes, all with a quick tap or two. But this is the virtual version of 'speaking at' someone, rather than with. 

What will encourage us to invest in opportunities for more circular, reflective dialogues during an era where the perceived preciousness of time leaves us running at an ever amped-up, task-oriented pace? What slows us down in these moments of overstimulation?

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For many, it's 'feeling seen' for the work that they do, the values they share, the experiences they've had. It's pausing to sharing stories as often as sharing data; contextualizing our experiences with vivid imagery, details, reflections. It's trading in the hashtag for a moment to pause and be present with others. Consider it akin to drinking a cup of tea or coffee--rushing makes it an unpleasant task rather than something to be enjoyed as it should be.

With a personalized approach like this in mind, and with a sense that it's more critical than ever to slow the pace at which we give and share information, investing a few more moments in the art of storytelling allows us to deeply digest each other's experiences.

Our Discussion Forum provides space to do just that--share and digest; a space where there isn't a speed at which info is refreshing your app, there are no 'push notifications', there are no alerts. Instead, our goal is to offer you time to sit and pause, to be present and learn with other health professionals who, like you, invest their valuable time in supporting frontline clinician care.

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We invite you to take a moment to invest in this library of stories, where a few minutes of time will not be lost to the ethers of endless Facebook or TikTok scrolling (which serve their purposes, too). Instead, your return on investment will be as valuable as the time you spend--a connection to a community full of dedicated health educators who share their struggles, setbacks, and solutions. 

Make as many small (or large) moments in your day to pause--it's more important than ever for healthcare professionals and beyond to take the best care they can. And if you're willing, share one of those moments together with us.

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