Usually having a positive take on life, the New Normal has really decreased the hope for humanity. A very social Spanish culture turned into people walking silently and face hidden, almost the same as the unsocial Finnish culture, which I tried to escape.
But even the plan to create a global Stakeholder Capitalist system by the WEF and UN, where normies don't have any property rights, there are some silver linings. The best part is, many people have woken up from their blind obedience to the authorities.
Spiritually it can be seen as a chance for people to learn about themselves, being locked in alone for months on end. I used to do Hermit things before, going to a winter slumber without seeing anyone, learning some Shamanistic skills. No distractions, just a creature figuring itself out.
Some years ago, I decided not to spend another freezing winter in Nordic Finland, especially when being harassed by the authorities due to social activism. The warm Mediterraean climate is so much better, without seeing the sun for months can make the mind go numb.
I have learned most of the Nordic plants, grown them indoors and outdoors. Walking around in Spanish parks I have collected some plant material to grow on the balconies, which had kept me sane during the Medical Marshall Law.
It is interesting to see which plants grow roots when cut and which kind of seeds and flowers the plants have. Having four growth cycles instead of one in the North, experimentation is so much easier and there is no fear of plants freezing.
The aromas from Oregano and other beautiful plants is a big bonus, one also can try to improve self-sufficiency by growing stuff, like paprikas. Put the seed or a rooted cutting in the soil, water it and just wait.
Perhaps now there is some wind of change coming, I started to walk around with a new friend and the landlady is focused on kicking me out of my home for two years. It is nothing new though, I only owned a backpack full of clothes for a decade.
So most likely this is the biggest challenge yet, since the city borders are guarded by military-equipped and trained folks and somehow lost my Spanish speaking skills. The usual homeless friends from parks have just disappeared, since the harshest curfew yet.
So besides the destruction of the tourism-based economy on Costa del Sol, there are a few upsides too. Losing faith in professional liars, making adventures inside oneself, warm sun, interesting nature and having connections to other people too.