To think our new normal could be a better way of life?

[Wehttam]

Ok first of all, hear me out. Maybe this is hypothetical fantasy but I think it has merit.

As we are adjusting to Lockdown and both its benefits and disadvantages, I have started thinking about how civilisation may be able to use this as a starting point for a new way of life, accepting the previous 24/7 have it all lifestyle is fundamentally poisonous to our wellbeing.

I fully understand this is a global pandemic and is catastrophic for many people, losing loved ones, suffering illness and the fear of how this could potentially affect many people’s lives going forward economically is a worry no one wants or needs, I am not minimising this nor am I advocating for blanket suffering or pain before you come for me.

Environmentally this is momentarily allowing the planet to slowly recover from one of its biggest problems, Us. Look outside, the air is cleaner already, the noise we had so become used to has quietened, our frantic pace of living has slowed, for most of us this will have untold health benefits as well as benefits to nature we will see manifest further over the coming weeks.

I fully appreciate how for many people this is an uncertain time, those suffering DV or poverty are living in hell, the situation right now is unpeeling the veneer society generally paints over these problems though. What if our new reality was to help those who are vulnerable and suffering but still maintain this level of calm muted living.

Excessive commuting, over consumption of single use anything, traffic everywhere, takeaways, shops, bars clubs, restaurants catering for every niche or whim, flying everywhere incessantly, worrying about having he latest this or that, which all means sweet FA at the moment. What it all boils down to is all of that was needless to actually live and breathe properly wasn’t it?

Eventually once Lockdown starts to be lifted, are you willing to go back to that chaos the outside world had become? I’m not so sure I am and I dont think it will be any good for those who do. Thoughts?

countback you’re right it affects a great deal of people, a wave of sadness is passing through the world right now and it’s going to wash over many people. Of course the poor will be hit terribly hard, but also feel for those who have lost loved ones rich or poor, it doesn’t matter it’s still horrific.

It’s a tragedy of proportions we can not yet fathom, but I would reconsider your inability to look on the bright side, because after all, out of the Darkness comes the light. It will do your wellbeing a great deal of good and help your mental health.

Apologies if this has already been mentioned.
By the end of the month I think we will be starting to stress more about money and wondering how long staying at home is sustainable

Does this say what I think it does? There's an option of moving to another more sustainable very quickly?

l am certainly using all this unexpected free time to think about some choices l have made without even questioning them.

Me too.

One thing to consider is that the environment isn't "healing itself" at the moment - even with all this the reduction in emissions still isn't enough to meet the Paris agreement of keeping global heating under 1.5 degrees C. Which really shows you how much we would need to do to achieve this.

A few photos of clear sky in China and everyone is saying "great, problem solved!" but that's not the case.

Plus I think this has caused people to forget/not care about climate change. On another thread here I saw a post where someone said "I literally couldn't give a shit about the environment now" and I think that sums it up for many people.

Things like this fill me full of rage because it comes from a place of complete privilege.

I've read this previously on this thread, often about the KO'M quote. I am a single parent. I have an ASD teen. I live well below the poverty line. I am currently unemployed.

I am still finding things to be grateful about. From having family, to being out of an abusive relationship, from not losing money in pension and shares (too poor to have either) to Dolly Parton performing at Glastonbury, I am grateful for it all.

I have people who love me, a roof and food. I am a SP living on benefits one street from hell, not privileged, but very grateful.

@Wehttam please spare me the worry about my mental health. I’m a doctor dealing with this day in and day our and my bright side comes out in real moments of joy that actually happen and not an imagined world that you seem to be living in.

YANBU OP.

Excessive commuting, over consumption of single use anything, traffic everywhere, takeaways, shops, bars clubs, restaurants catering for every niche or whim, flying everywhere incessantly, worrying about having he latest this or that, which all means sweet FA at the moment. What it all boils down to is all of that was needless to actually live and breathe properly wasn’t it?

Maybe to you but some people are on the brink of suicide because of the lack of some or all of these things, they might not need them to physically live and survive but they damn well do to make their life worth living and stop them ending it. I'm not saying that because one shop shut down someone is going to kill themselves but take this all away and you take the one thing that brings them joy and keeps them going. And don't you dare say that they then need to find joy in the peace. Peace can be torture, some people need to keep busy to keep their mind occupied to stop it going to dark places.

Eventually once Lockdown starts to be lifted, are you willing to go back to that chaos the outside world had become? I’m not so sure I am and I dont think it will be any good for those who do. Thoughts?

Yes, i like what you call 'chaos'. It will be good for me again. I enjoy my commute, my work, my busy evenings and weekends, going to be actually tired from having done stuff. I take quiet days to recharge when I feel I need them, not because someone has come over all spiritual and decided what's good for her is good for everyone, that's so egocentric of you.

I love it when they try to go all passive aggressive, don't you, count? . It gives me the warm fuzzies. #PAfailthankyouforplaying

Fuck me, this is like conversing with a fucking Facebook meme. I'll take feeling shock, grief and loss at a family member's death and at the thought of the orphaned child he leaves behind who I can't even hug over sanctimonious witless twaddle, thanks.

Santa

Santa, really sorry .

If air flights go up too much, chances are things will turn to how it used to be. Lucky to afford a couple of days somewhere close to home. Never mind anywhere else.

It's already been 5 weeks since the first 12-week isolation was announced.

Anything can happen during those remaining weeks. It's not just one country that is working in this and hopefully whoever finds a cure/vaccine doesn't decide to start a bidding war.

The current situation will have to be reviewed before then.

And once things start moving again, even if it's slow it has to happen.

Why shouldn't gyms etc open? Many have online booking facilities, reduce session places. Work outside for social distancing, and why shouldn't 2 tennis players play as long as they don't shake hands for example?

But 18 months? It's not realistic. The only people who would stand a chance would be the rich. As much as some would love the idea, you cannot kill people off in their millions like that. Although if it ever got that stage, I shall decide to take a quick exit.

Once things start moving, taxes will raise along with probably VAT will. rise. Not at first, but oh fuck will they. I am one of those who should be smug but fuck that, I don't know the cards I have been dealt. Get used to your 80% wage at the moment, could be a long time before you even have that left in your current job.

No-one can say for certain their jobs are safe. If some parents get their own ways, going to school will be a thing of the past, or worse open for the 'poor' kids. Instead education will happen at home, on a screen. Oh sorry to hear you used to be a history teacher.

It's a chance to change education when the schools re-open. Might decide to give the secondary school the choice of lessons a lot earlier, finally. Math and English and an additional language compulsory, maybe even all the IT-related stuff. The rest as options and the basics of science, religion etc taught during those Sex ed classes that have been renamed. I've been in SEN schools where even geography and history got taught during those lessons (sorry I forget the name haha).

And don't even get me started about the poor bloody families out there who are getting stressed trying to do that homework. It's not like they are learning anything new after all.

@blueapples I’m truly glad you enjoy your chaos. Different strokes for different folks I suppose. I didn’t realise advocating for a healthier environment was egocentric but I’ll take that view on board lol.

Many thanks for your input though.

I'm sorry to hear that @Santaclauswhosthat and then come here and read how things won't change.
And the astonishing smugness.

Thanks @Dione and @peppermint. It's all a bit shit.

As I said @Santaclauswhosthat I hope you find peace in these troubled times, look after those around you. Peace.💐

@Wehttam

Well done on purposefully misinterpreting what I said to fit your own agenda.

You said that going back to 'the chaos' of prelockdown life will not be any good of the health of those that do choose to do so. You have extrapolated this purely on your own experiences of enjoying less 'chaos' during lockdown. I am telling you that this 'chaos' will be good for mine and many other people like me's health as it's what we enjoy, boosts our mental health and gives us purpose. You assuming you know what's best for everyone is what is egocentric.

At no point did I address the environment or express that advocating for a healthier one in egocentric - way to put words in my mouth. I do think there has been positive environmental outcomes from this actually, and I am all for trying to find a way to maintain this good and progress it. But not by imposing dictatorial legislation on people which will make them miserable.

And if all your work has dried up how do you actually live.

Nice if you are getting 80% of your salary without having to do anything but for those who are out of work and don’t qualify for any of the government schemes then we can’t wait for things to return to normal

But by advocating for a healthier environment, it's great for those who can choose to live somewhere less busy.

This was not the case for millions before after this I really don't want to think about it.
I managed to pull things together a few years ago and wasn't pushed out of London, and I thanked my lucky stars. Many of whom couldn't afford that "luxury unnecessary' travel to begin with. Even if they have a job to go back to, could they actually afford it?

People forget millions were living in poverty before this.

Millions couldn't afford to work to begin with. That is of course if they could get a job. Yea I know but there's always loads of jobs. Did they exist or just another agency?

People really going to think Maggie on minimum wage after this will still be happy in 6 months? At least back in January, she could have some enjoyment. 6 months, even working extra hours it's not enough. She's going to ask, and millions like these key workers wtaf.

They are the ones who are in the midst of it, every day. Working to ensure your life can carry on as if nothing happened.

While they still are sitting there, behind the till doing extra work to pay those fucking taxes that you helped create. And at a long shift having to smile to those same smug people, cannot even enjoy a pint at the end of their shift?

Yea get fucked. Even during the war pubs were open. And let's look at how well Prohibition went for America. All i can say is if you really think pubs wont open for another 18 months haha. You will be lucky that pubs are still closed by September. And really, for Christmas haha. Please it hurts to laugh.

@blueapples terribly sorry for misinterpretation of your words my dear major mistake please accept my sincerest apologies.

Not sure where you get the dictatorial legislation part from but whatever, if it makes you happy, I surrender lol.

You assuming you know what's best for everyone is what is egocentric.

blue it's very obvious, too, the OP's intention was always goady AF. Bit amusing at first but now with pot shots at a doctor and at someone who lost a loved one and continued sad attempts at clever passive aggression, really below the belt and sick. Best to just stop engaging.

I'm looking forward to lots of travel after this, and taking my kids to a huge shopping centre and buying lots of stuff. Then heading to a restaurant and eating pizza or chicken and sharing a bottle of wine with my OH before we Uber home with all our goodies. Oh, and getting my hair done, that will probably be first port of call, hairdresser for me and DD.