Taking on New Adventures

Sorry, but this is not the “new normal”. This stay home unless it’s absolutely essential mandate, closure of businesses and worry day in and day out of not only getting sick but having a job the next day is not normal. And it’s not going to last. But the questions remain: When are we going to see the end of this and what will the “new normal” look like?

I don’t know those answers but it feels like we getting over the hump and starting the planning process of getting back to life. And that’s scary, especially since we don’t know what life will look like. But at least there’s hope and that’s something we’ve needed for a while.

I’ve started thinking about the “new normal” but can’t get out of the “normal for now” focus that’s been around for the past month. So many things have changed for all of us with the biggest one for me is a job change right before this started and the work from home lifestyle I really wanted to jump in to. But if I’m being honest, work from home for me wasn’t literally “home” but more, “work from where I want to”.

Prior to this pandemic, I had started my routine of setting up in my living room for a few hours, going to the rooftop to enjoy the sun and fresh air or working from a coffee shop. It was my way of blazing my path, creating the most comfortable environment for what I needed to do and making myself happy.

Being “at home” is not my happy place. I need to get out, see people, breathe in the fresh air. I need the social interaction. But I’ve had to adjust my expectations and find times to take walks, bike rides or drive around just to get out. It’s not ideal but it’s better than nothing.

Looking ahead to the “new normal”, I think we all will have to adjust how we approach large gatherings. From the grocery store and Costco to the numerous events that will be happening in the city, it’s time to figure out how we need to approach these and what is comfortable for us.

Mostly, I’m looking forward to traveling again and figuring out what is best for me as I do travel. I’m probably going to be a bit anxious when I get on a plane for the first time and definitely will be more cautious in a hotel. But I’m going to also live by taking care of myself to the best of my ability and making sure I enjoy life.

That’s the most normal I can be: me. And that seems to work for my husband, which is helpful to me. And heck, maybe I’ve found some changes that will stick, including some midday walks and midday bike rides.