The “Oddsitive” Challenge

The journey that this pandemic is taking us on is quite surreal. Parents are being asked to help their children learn at home and keep them entertained while still working, many have been struggling with the realities of unemployment; for those dating, it is possible that new relationships may fizzle. Stressful times often lead people to think of the negatives, and once stuck in that cycle, it is very hard to get out.

Those who know me well, would call me a pragmatist, but really like most camp professionals, I am an optimist at heart. I have chosen to spend my career curating and creating experiences filled with awe, wonder and growth. There is no place I would rather be right now than running around outside in the woods of Lake Delton, getting messy, jumping in the cove, and living the dream the Chi team works so hard to create. All the while, I, like everyone else, am stuck working from home.

A friend of mine, a camp professional as well, has coined a term I think we all should know. It’s oddsitive–and according to her definition from the urban dictionary, it means a positive outcome from something that is odd.  She challenged me to think of an oddsitive that has come out of the current situation. The truth is there are probably lots of positives. But today I will share that this time at home has allowed me to accomplish a lot of miscellaneous house projects. Now the condo that I’ve owned since July 2018, is finally fully decorated and I can proudly say for the first time it feels like I actually live here. It is thanks to this newfound situation that I have never felt more settled in a place that I’ve called home.

So today, in the middle of yet another week of an odd working situation and the times of COVID-19, I challenge you, to take a moment, think of, and most importantly name, yes out loud, your oddsitive. I promise it will put a smile on your face and maybe, just maybe put a break in the cycle of fear, anxiety and stress we are all stuck in. Sometimes a small change in perspective goes a long a way.

 Written by Joelle Kelenson, MSW | Associate Director, Camp Chi