Maybe your life is on pause right now or perhaps it’s picking up speed. Whether you’re having a hard time adjusting to quarantining at home or you’re an essential worker struggling to keep up with growing demands, everyone has one thing in common right now: experiencing the completely unexpected. 

There is something to be said for how much being part of a community during times of uncertainty can help lift our spirits, and that’s what makes this pandemic so difficult to navigate. Usually, life-altering experiences prompt us to reach out to those we love, to hug them, eat with them, drink with them and laugh with them. Unfortunately, our situation denies us that comfort, but we can try to build an online community almost as warm as storytelling with friends over dinner.

So to tide us over until the next real live potluck or game night, we’re asking you to share your stories of isolation, connectedness and hope. Communities are stronger when they can share and understand each others’ experiences. Tell us about what it’s like to be on staff at a major hospital right now, about the challenges of assisting kids with distance learning while working from home yourself, or what it was like to celebrate a birthday (or even a funeral) from a safe social distance. We want to hear it all, from the little moments to the missed milestones. 

To submit your essay, send it to hello@flamingomag.com. We will be sharing our favorites on Flamingomag.com.