Post Pandemic Life. Is This The New “Normal”?
To me, there’s no going back to what we had as normal before the pandemic hit. The scars and memories of this very dark time will forever live within us. Not to rehash anything with Covid, but let’s be honest with ourselves, nothing will ever be the same, ever again.
I have a lot of friends who are very pro-vaccine and many more who are against it. As many of you may know, I chose to not get my second dose. I got scared, it happens. Some of my friends are still walking around with masks or face shields, and some are not. I’m in between. I’ll wear my mask at stores still, why not? I really don’t know if it helps, or if it ever did (me the conspiracy theorist), but I guess it makes me feel better.
Everything has changed and will continue to change, but what is this new normal? As we find ourselves getting back to open, maskless cities with no restrictions and huge crowds, we have to learn to navigate both our feelings and the world, all over again. With that comes a lot of emotions, and that’s okay. I go back and forth daily with how I’m feeling and what I’m processing. It’s like the never ending 2020 roller coaster.
Here are a few ways I’m navigating the new “normal” and a few ways that my friends are as well.
It is okay to feel how you feel…and its okay to talk to about it.
If you want to stay inside and keep working from home, I feel like that should be your choice. As a business owner it really is a tough call. Only a few of my people can really work remotely based on their work roles, but I also don’t want to force anyone back to the office. I think having healthy conversations with your friends, family, significant other, and employer is a great way to navigate this new normal and the feelings you are having. If you live with someone and they are having friends over, you need to have a conversation about it. I absolutely am not letting anyone that I don’t know in my house ever again. Ever, lol.
Regarding the itch to travel…
We all know I love to travel. Who can blame me? But traveling for me is definitely not “wide open”. I know everyone is booking trips and thinking that vaccination makes them invincible, but do we really know if that’s the case? I will continue flying to west coast areas only, on private planes only, and I will choose to base each decision on how I’m feeling that day. If I want to go to a beach club and I know in advance, I’ll load up on vitamins the week of and I will do what I see fit. I know some people won’t agree with me, but again, we’re all navigating this our own way. That’s our right. I do know for a fact I’ll do my trips differently and will enjoy and remember them more than ever before. No more escapes, only experiences.
Don’t be afraid to make tough choices as you begin your new normal.
We are all here, still processing what happened and all the worries about what could still happen. “Will we shut down again?” or “Will there be another wave?” etc. If making choices helps make you feel better, like not going out, saving money, being pickier with your circle (me), or anything like that, then do it! THIS IS YOUR LIFE and no one else’s. You are the one living it, so live it how you want to!
Remember, you survived a pandemic. Now what did you learn from it?