The concept and meaning of "normal" has been challenged in the past 2 years very extensively. It has become a shapeshifting element of life rather than a lifestyle, as it was believed to be. Life as we knew it was distorted and made malleable. We discovered strengths and resilience that was never known to us before the pandemic began.
But humans tend to hunt for normalcy, whatever that word may mean to you. We look for a schedule and a planned out way of life. I think that is the easiest way of defining "normal". When, for any reason, that schedule is disrupted we enter the "not normal" part of our lives. Since the pandemic began, I sought after the knowledge of what would life be like when it all ends. With every growing infection, the future seemed a little farther away than the expected prognosis.
https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-child-face-mask-covid-mask-5716038/
For one, we learned to live with what was needed with a little bit of our desires pushing our buttons every now and then. A healthy body, family, friends and a good meal every few hours seemed to be just enough. Whereas going to the mall, exploring an unknown restaurant and buying stuff that I'll forget after a week seemed like something that I wasn't too keen to put on my calendar anymore.
This also shed light on how much of the economy is driven by superficial desires, which are usually driven by a shot of dopamine and sometimes act as an escape from a tiring life, rather than the absolute necessities of leading a human life. The pandemic hit, lockdowns began, and suddenly the economy needed bail outs. What a surprise! Looks like a huge part of the economy was standing on straws for pillars.
It also shed light on how much of everything is just for show rather than results and efficiency. Although the pandemic hit alot of us very hard, most of us stayed home and worked online. Most of the jobs were swiftly shifted into "distant working" or "home offices". It really did not cause a landslide in worker efficiency or results. If anything, it made working that much more enjoyable and from-the-heart.
https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-face-mask-market-hijab-5632026/
There are many things that went into an alternate style of existence during the pandemic. May it be our choices, jobs, or even relations. But it showed us how much of our lives, as a collective, is based on nothing rather than on facts and results. I wonder how will it shape our lives when the pandemic is eventually over. Will we go back to living the pretend life because it gives us comfort in the form of "normal" or will we go ahead and design a new lifestyle that is catered to a happy, peaceful and productive life which is different than our previous "normal"?