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?

The day after lockdown is over the pubs will be filled, there will be queues at restaurant, people will book holidays and travel across the country to see family and do all the things they haven’t been able to

Will they? There’s going to be a lot less money around to do all those things. How many pubs, restaurants and travel companies will have gone bust?

I don’t like to say it out loud and don’t want to jinx things but I am in general so much happier with life right now.

Despite having major anxiety about giving birth in the next few weeks, the worry about if our meagre savings will keep us ticking over and missing family and friends I have realised how much being at home with just my DH and DC means to me.

We are all visibly so much happier.
DC would be in childcare 3 days a week from 8-5pm and this has made me realise that maybe I’ve been a bit selfish in the past putting my career first.

I realise also how little I miss my job

For some people, less is more. For others, having had less means they want more. There will be a range of outcomes from this.

I wonder how many people will realise how fragile supply chains are; that we put so much trust and reliance in a handful of retailers and delivery systems that can fold quite quickly in our pursuit of material things. The local supplier has been able to fill the holes the large retailers simply cannot. I hope people see that and support small local retailers and businesses more.

At the same time, true power has been witnessed in the altruistic acts of our most highly motivated people - the NHS. The fifth largest organisation in the World is world class. If ever there was a meaningful 'sovereign wealth fund' this is it.

And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.

I take it none of the people had toddlers!

Lots of people seem to be hoping that their boss will have come round to WFH after this. I think some of them are going to get a horrible shock when their boss does realise that their job doesn't need to be done in the office - and indeed, that it doesn't need to be done by someone in the UK, when it could be outsourced for a fraction of the cost.

I think it's all about having the option to go out and do what you want to. Having to stay in your home for most of the day (no matter how nice it is) just makes you want to do something away from the house. I have a new car and am really missing driving it - I haven't been to a shop for over a month now and am missing the sheer joy of seeing something you really like and just buying it!

What I do hope is that people realise the utter futility of the 'celebrity culture' - has anybody been in the least bit interested in the goings on of the Kartrashians or Harry and Meghan over the last few weeks? We are looking up to real people instead - from the kindly Prof Whitty to the many wonderful NHS staff and other key workers.

I think social distancing will remain for a long time as people will be wary of others - my positive from that is that I hate near strangers hugging and kissing me whenever we meet and again when we leave, so I will be pleased about that!

InTheSummerhouse - is spot on. A fairer distribution of wealth and resources is the massive change that's needed. Socio-economic position is the biggest indicator of how you will experience this crisis.

Oh god, I don't get all the raving about WFH - I hate it. Never managed to get any work done, just browse the internet. I have to be in an office or library to get in the zone for work! Plus, I love the social side and the routine of a nice bus commute - when I'm at home I wear the same clothes for weeks and eat random food at really weird times.

The day after lockdown is over the pubs will be filled, there will be queues at restaurant, people will book holidays

There won't be such a day. Things will be eased very slowly. More shops at first, then schools, then cafes, etc with foreign travel last. Could take several months for everything to be back to normal. Some people will never go back to doing what they used to do because they'll have grown accustomed to the new "normal".

yes, I did 15 years ago. I have work life balance, an allotment, live in a small terrace, no car, haven't pursued promotion, my commute is a half hour walk, I don't have designer clothes, ( more interested in fleeces and hoodies ) but I do splash out on decent underwear being big in the bust dept, not bothered about the latest tech stuff
My life is far from sackcloth and ashes - I spend my money on good quality food, theatre and gigs. My son is a sports fan so we do attend live events. My house is still cluttered - with books, photos, plants - my spare bedroom currently housing my seedlings. We do go abroad but not often, most of our holidays are in the UK, we use YHA, small B&Bs, Premier inn deals.
Its very possible to live a simpler without depriving yourself. Depends what you want fron life.

I personally feel massively more content (and I know that I’m lucky to have a job and not be worried about money for now). I think it’s a combination of no commute (normally 55 minutes each way on two trains); less face time as you’re not in the office; being in the countryside instead of London (went to stay with my parents); and having a whole family around (parents, grandmother, sister and DH) rather than just the two of us. Plus always sleeping enough and exercising more.

Trouble is I’m not sure which of these factors it is - most likely all of them. So I’m not sure how to replicate them in my normal life as DH isn’t ready to leave London and move next door to my family...! I guess I’ll try and work from home more and in the medium term move to the country and have lots of kids, but that was already the plan...

That’s an excellent point @AvalancheKit. We found little local suppers of eggs and potatoes when the supermarkets sold out. They’ve got customers for life now.

I think if anything outsourcing to another country will be reduced due to this

It’s shown how fragile relying on international labour and connections can be

I think pubs and clubs will be full after lockdown and they will be the next wave of deaths.
At first it's the survival of the fittest with many unnecessary deaths, thousands in a short space of time.
The second wave will be due to natural selection i.e those who lack the intelligence to socially distance and not to do something just because you can.
Eventually when the 1% or whatever have died, we may change lives for the better. I can't see it happening without thousands more deaths tbh.
Because people are a bit dim.

Suppliers, not suppers ffs!

@LisaSimpsonsbff
Especially when they notice how “productive” it has been for them. And all the technical issues have increased.

I also think some are relying on using the children’s homework as a reason as well. When it’s public knowledge schools have been asked not to produce new work, as teachers role have changed.

I have to be in an office or library to get in the zone for work!

I foresee big firms having regional satellite offices/hubs so people don't need to WFH, but still avoid the centralisation and congested commutes into huge centralised city centre offices which just aren't needed anymore. I can really envisage London being badly hit in terms of fewer/smaller head offices and improved options for working in smaller cities, towns and regional offices instead.

@Alsohuman same with us

Will always keep our milkman I found 4 weeks ago now, will stick to buying locally from the farm shops.

Our little town has had the slogan for many years ‘Try ‘this town’ first’

Why buy online or go to big shopping centres when most of what you need is available on your doorstep

Having to stay in your home for most of the day (no matter how nice it is) just makes you want to do something away from the house.

and not everyone had the same priorities. I haven't put all my money into my house, because holidays and weekend away with my kids are much more important for us. If I was never allowed to go anywhere, we would probably have invested a lot more in our home. Ours is fine, but it's a base. I don't want to stay home until I really have to.

My house is great for work and day-to-day life, not to spend our life, all weekends, evenings and holidays.

I think things will not be better. Half the people will become more consumerist and hedonistic as they have seen how quickly it can be taken away. The other half will become more like preppers, being careful with everything and living a cleaner, greener life.
So the same but more polarised than before.

I will never choose to holiday in this country.

I live a simple life and I watch my carbon footprint, reuse, recycle, etc but I do like to go on holiday and not even every year.

The UK holidays always cost more and the only ones I've ever liked are the group ones as then there are many people to spend time with, which is more important than the actual place.

Holidays abroad mean a complete change of scenery/people/culture and thats what I need and want, when I go on holiday.

UK holidays are too expensive, the so called nice areas are usually insular and not welcoming. I'm sorry but the UK is too polarised and my children notice it at only 10 and 21. No I'll travel abroad when I can afford to do so.

Also the wfh change is good and lots of companies were very anti wfh but the chronically ill and the disabled have been asking for more wfh roles for decades. They are more than capable of working but adjustments in the offices and wfh roles have never been forthcoming.

People already care about the environment but unless the major polluting governments and businesses change, then yes it is still worthwhile to change your behaviour to help the environment but it will never be enough.

People who want to change chaotic lives can do so after this, if the lock down has made them see the light but these people already had that choice. The people on here noticing that they could have afforded to work less hours if they did not fritter money away. That they could have spent more time with their children and less at work as the cost of commuting, lunch, coffee and clothes, let alone childcare took all their extra wages.

That they could have consumed less and spent more on free, cheap and more home based hobbies before this.

That they actually have a choice anyway to make changes in their lives unlike people who work in low paid jobs and need to work to survive with little left over to consume, spend and enjoy activities.

There is not going to be a COVID VE Day when we all have street parties and cop off with Canadian soldiers in shop doorways. (Who said "Shame!")

How much things change will depend on political will and public support.

A reduction in business travel, foreign holidays and the need to be seen to have more than you need could only be a good thing, if it came to pass.

I live with a DH who’s main passion in life (other than me) is travel.

I was so worried how he’d cope if lockdown happened as he had so many trips planned.

But it did happen, and his trips were cancelled.
Our family trips were cancelled.
We can be optimistic of potentially having a Uk break maybe in winter again but realistically thinking it might be next year and it might not be abroad.

He’s surprised himself at how much he has enjoyed just being.

It’s changed him for the better

I’ve never been big on overseas travel, I always feel like until I’ve covered everything the uk has to offer why would I want to start venturing further, so this suits me just fine

I think pubs and clubs will be full

I can see ongoing restrictions on pubs, cafes, restaurants etc whereby only those able to offer social distancing will be allowed to open. Just like those few days before the lockdown where cafes, pubs etc removed tables so people could sit further apart rather than the usual crowded seating arrangements. Also, queues etc and restricted numbers of people in them at any time. If a pub/cafe isn't viable on fewer customer numbers then it won't re-open until restrictions lifted further.

Put it another way, if overseas holiday travel was forever banned, I would relocate as quickly as I possibly can
England is far down the bottom of my list of countries I like to be in!

There is not going to be a COVID VE Day when we all have street parties and cop off with Canadian soldiers in shop doorways. (Who said "Shame!")

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