Here’s What’s Good for Us “In Theory.” And Here’s the Reality.

Let me start by sharing part of an email I received this past week from a colleague and friend in the wine industry, who is also a Dad of young children:
 
I apologize that I wasn't able to get on the call today. I had two kids that were not going to allow me anywhere near a computer today so I splashed around in an inflatable pool and ate popsicles instead. If there is a download or recap that I can get my eyes on, I'm all for it. If it precludes me from involvement at this time, I totally understand.  
  
So for now, I'll go back to contemplating the big questions, like what wine would I pair with a watermelon popsicle or ice cream sandwiches...
 
Welcome to our current world, with its differences between the things that are good for us in theory, and the things we actually end up doing.
 
Like eating watermelon popsicles and ice cream sandwiches.
 
You can probably expect by now that I’d encourage you to be compassionate – toward yourself and others – and that’s completely true. This week, I’d also like to do a gut-check on a few of the things that are good for us “in theory” in relation to the reality of our world right now.
 
What’s Good for Us in Theory: Exercise
Gut Check: Gyms are closed. Same with yoga studios. We’re discouraged from meeting up with our running partners or other groups. Not only are we missing the physical exercise, we’re also missing the pleasure (and the benefits) of exercising with friends.
 
The reality for me has meant enlisting my husband and kids as accountability buddies at home. We commit to exercising twice a day, usually as a morning break and sometime in the late afternoon, before dinner. The kind of exercise varies depending on our personalities and schedules. Sometimes the exercise sessions are two long walks a day, or a walk and yoga, or two sessions of HIIT circuits, or golf and a workout in our (makeshift) gym at home.
 
The bonus is when one or both of those exercise sessions happen together. It varies the workouts, and it’s valuable (screen-free) time to talk.
 
 
What’s Good for Us in Theory: Limit alcohol intake
Gut check: It is so (so) easy right now to drink more than we know we should. Anxiety is high about our health, our communities and our livelihoods. The days are mushing together. Sad and disturbing reports, from contagion rates to loneliness to compromised mental health, seem more and more common place. Worse still, the consumption (and over-consumption) of alcohol disrupts our restorative REM sleep, which compromises our ability to manage these stressors effectively or in a healthy way the next day.
 
The reality for me is compromise. In a very practical way, this means alternating the days that I drink wine and those that I don’t. If I take a few days “off” of drinking altogether, no harm done. The other compromise is determining when I want to pour a drink because of stresses, and when I want to pour a drink because I’m in a good place with family or sharing with friends, even at a distance.
 
Those two strategies turn out to be fairly effective at limiting alcohol intake.
 
 
What’s Good for Us in Theory: Make the most of the new reality
Gut check: Maybe that means sacrificing a work call in order to eat ice cream sandwiches with your kids. Maybe it means you’ve got more unscheduled hours in your schedule than you have in years or maybe it means the opposite, that is, that you feel like your whole life has moved onto Zoom for twenty-plus hours a day. Maybe, like Beck, it meant a three-month previously unscheduled visit with your family half the world away, whereas now it means figuring out how to keep it together in utter (and literal) isolation in an apartment back in California.
 
The new reality, and how we make the most of it, will be different for each of us. For me, two changes to emerge from these past four months have been a renewed interest in gardening and a new puppy for my family, both of which are meant to help manage the stresses of our time. Making the most of it has involved bringing the puppy with me to the garden in the early mornings, where I sit with a cup of tea to gather my thoughts for the day and make a start on the most challenging project on the to-do list. The puppy, who digs and makes a muddy mess of herself in the meantime, is also fabulously entertaining.
 
What’s good for us in theory is exactly that: a theory. The reality is likely something that looks very different and is very unique to our situations. That’s good too. Just remember compassion, for yourself and others.
 
How about you? How are you doing? Please let us know, and share some insights into your own reality. We could all use some help with this muddy mess.
 
Namaste,
Cathy

What We're Reading:

There is no shortage of wine news, and here's what has piqued our interest this week.

The Need for Career Mobility in Wine and Hospitality – Dan Petroski for SevenFiftyDaily.com

Without the safety net of a corporate career trajectory and transferable skills, how can the wine and hospitality workforce prepare for the next crisis? It’s time to learn.

One Black Female Sommelier’s Take On The Wine Biz In Denver – Maia Parish for 5280.com

The Wine Suite’s Maia Parish speaks out about her experience in the beverage industry.

Black Lives Matter, the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Wine Industry’s Divide – Emily Saladino for Wine Enthusiast.com

Saladino offers a thoughtful piece on the current headwinds being faced by the Court of Master Sommeliers America on racial equality and how to move forward.

Wait! Are You Sure You Want To Go Back To Normal? A 3 Step Mindfulness Reflection – Forbes.com

So you want to go back to “normal”? Before you race to put it all back just as it was, consider this 3-step mindfulness reflection

What Alcohol Does to a Stressed Out Brain – Elemental for Medium.com

The relationship between alcohol and stress relief is a lot more complicated than conventional wisdom holds.

Meet the Community!

Our community is only as strong as the company we keep, and here we meet some of the folks who make our profession so dynamic.

Philana Bouvier, VP - Fine Wine, Business Development, Republic National Distributing Company, San Francisco (USA) 

Years In Industry:

More than 20 years.  My adult life started earlier than I had wanted.  At a very young age I had to survive on my own without any real guidance from a parent.  I started in the wine and spirits industry as a Merchandiser for Anheuser-Busch in Honolulu, Hawaii.

After roles in sales at both Anheuser-Busch and Southern Wine & Spirits, I started my own PR company, and then a water company, which I ultimately sold the U.S. distribution rights to the Underwood family – owners of Youngs Market.  I came-in house with Young’s Market ultimately serving as General Manager for Hawaii, before moving to California as SVP New Business Development.  

Now post-merger, as VP, Supplier Business Development Fine Wine for Republic National Distributing Company.

My Biggest Challenge To Wellness:

My biggest challenge is reminding myself how far I’ve come and that where I am today is enough.  Upholding my values and knowing my business while constantly being challenged at every level can be tough.  Keeping my sense of self confidence, being present, and believing in myself is what I diligently work on every day.

I need to take the time to slow down, exercise more patience, and take that breath.  I am naturally wired to move at a fast pace.  My ambition and drive to accomplish everything possible for myself and my family is always a tough benchmark.  I personally raise the bar to an extremely high level, there are days I can barely keep up with myself!

In my role, I can be entertaining six days and nights a week!  Another challenge is to have discipline to not eat and drink everything that is on my plate, which is hard to do.  There is nothing I love more than exploring new wineries, and unique culinary adventures with family and friends.  We are very fortunate to be in this industry.  It’s important for our mental and physical well-being to take care of ourselves as it can be a lot more consumption than is needed.  Hospitality is so much of what we do.  I’m passionate about the people and the relationships that these experiences bring into my personal life and work.

How I Keep It Together To Stay Well:

My amazing husband who supports me daily, and the support of my network of women in the industry. Through the WSWA, Women’s Leadership Council, I am constantly supported by hundreds of women across the nation that utilize this amazing network to support each other both professionally and personally.  Connecting with people and cultivating genuine relationships that inspire and support my spiritual, physical and mental well-being have enabled a great balance in my life that I continue to improve on.  Surrounding myself with EXTRAORDINARY people and a SENSE OF HUMOR is key!   

I am proud to be the Chair of the Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) for the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), and one of the founding members of the Advisory Board in addition, an Officer for WSWA’s Council of Leadership Development.

Giving back to the community is also essential for my well-being.  I am a Corporate and Advisory Board Member for The Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii, The Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation in New York, and The Napa Valley Cannabis Association.

I am always asking for constructive feedback, as it’s a constant journey to know yourself more and to work on being the best you can be.  I have learned that if you can understand that the person giving you feedback cares about your well-being and success, it ultimately a becomes valuable, self-reflective learning lesson that supports my success and personal growth.

For the first-time last year, I ran the New York Half Marathon.  I made it a priority to pay attention to my physical being.  I also practice the methodology of the Hoffman Process’s daily “Quadrinity Check-In” - which Is like 10 years of therapy in seven days. It’s my daily practice and check-in.

You can connect with Philana on Instagram @philanabouvier and LinkedIn

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