The No Normal?

People talk about “the new normal.” What does that even mean?

I’ve been pondering this, so I googled “the new normal” to see what came up. Literally, the very first thing was a 2012 comedy show by that name. How ironic. Underneath that was back to 2020, and scores of articles with the word ‘normal’ in the title. The new normal. We’re not going back to normal. Lockdowns are the new normal. The new abnormal. You will adjust to the new normal.

So we are navigating uncertainty, and living in tumultuous times, and many of us are managing a very wide range of extremes of emotions each day, and even from moment to moment. Roller coastering.

Some moments I feel peaceful, focused and enjoying the opportunity to read, watch, listen and learn to so many different things. Taking the forced #slowdown and looking for #silverlinings. I started doing Yale professor Laurie Santos’ online class on happiness (free) and took some initial happiness inventories.  Of course, my number one strength from the VIA instrument was love of learning. There are literally at least ten webinars, podcasts, or courses open on my tool bar right now!

Other moments I feel fear, sadness or anxiety about the invisible enemy, ventilators, PPE, and loved ones…. or if I washed my hands after bringing in the mail. The other day when I saw mail in the mailbox, it made me so happy, I almost wanted to cry. The mail is like the only thing that still feels ‘normal.’ I looked, reached in and picked it up, brought it in the house, and then washed my hands. And noted, while singing a washing hands song, that at least one thing still felt ‘normal.’

PS. In case you’re looking for some new resources for these challenging times…..

[Updated List] Free Online Meditation Resources for Times of Social Distancing / COVID-19