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?

I'm really enjoying lockdown. As a very socially anxious person, my anxiety is weirdly at the best level it has been in a long time from having no pressure to interact, knowing where my family are all the time and a much simpler, calmer routine. I'm actually dreading everything going back to normal. BUT I totally understand that others dont feel the same and how horrible it must be for those who are alone or who don't have the luxury of large gardens and plenty of food. A best of both worlds would be lovely, where the option of home working and home schooling became the norm without being compulsory. That's pretty much impossible though I'm guessing? Maybe there will be a move towards more home working. Those saying "you could continue as you are if you want" are being far too simplistic though. No, I couldn't. We need my salary, and my employer (in fact, my whole industry) are far from being open to home working...and it certainly wouldnt be usual to be afforded the flexibility to home ed at the same time, even if we were capable of doing a good job of both between us.

I plan to socialise even more, make meeting friends and family in restaurants and pubs even more of a priority and visiting them in the UK and abroad, to travel more to see the world and encourage it in my children. Fuck being sat at home and 'the simple life', you do you and I'll do me.

I'm not going to rush out tomorrow and catch it on purpose against the law, but when the pubs are allowed to open, why would I stay in and drag it out longer than necessary?

You really will not enjoy the experience at all.

it makes me wonder why they do stay if they feel that strongly

because that's where I currently earn the most - and even if England has some beautiful places, they can't compare with some other countries I personally prefer. Plus I hate the English weather with a passion. I put up with it. If I couldn't travel anymore, I would be out of here!

This type of overly sentimental, ill thought out doggerel - simply dripping with privilege - really irks me.

No, actually. I’m more concerned with the increase in suicide rates, dv rates, huge spikes in mental health issues, those suffering with isolation and anxiety, people terrified about jobs and mortgages and getting food on their table, children falling behind in schoolwork, Health inequalities widening, teenagers who are having to cope with uncertainty around their exams, businesses failing, economies tanking, recessions looming. And the rest of the shitstorm that is heading our way.

Trivial, twee nonsense about the ‘earth healing’ isn’t really going to cut it I’m afraid. 🤷🏽‍♀️

@AvalancheKit I don't expect to. I might die. But herd immunity won't happen if we all stay at home. AFAIK I'm one of the 70% who is supposed to catch it and help achieve herd immunity. How will that work if I stay in once the lockdown ends?

I couldn't agree more, bananfish.

but when the pubs are allowed to open, why would I stay in and drag it out longer than necessary?

Because you value your life and the lives of your loved ones, perhaps?
If you think they won't open until the virus has gone you are a fool.
You'll be the " natural selection" group.

Kitty omeara can fuck off.

I've seen this shared by women I thought were intelligent and sensitive.

People are grieving their losses in isolation.

Worried about the future of their jobs.

Suffering the effects of having surgery or treatment delayed or cancelled.

Fearful for the future, giving birth, shortages.

So I don't want to see another trite comment about mindfulness from someone furloughed in a pleasant house with garden and loving spouse.

Purely from my point of view - and I know I am extremely lucky that all my family are still working, I have been trying desperately to get WAH 4 days a week approved. But it wouldn't work apparently, well guess what? Everyone in the business is now WAH and it's working fine. WAH gives me back a minimum of 10 hours a week that I currently spend on commuting - and that's ignoring the cost. My DH is also WAH but hates it and his is more difficult to do, but I think much will change going forward.

People will be asking why are they working so long and getting little enjoyment from it.

I hit that point a long time ago. And drastic changes (to some) were made. Never looked back and will never go back.

My children are provided for, some set aside to give them a hand. But I have the right to a life as well and I enjoy it. Don’t have the latest things, only change when broken, not into labels etc. Worked minimum wage and still managed a holiday abroad for 2 weeks with 4 kids lol. Took fucking ages to save for it and the passports. But worth every penny.

What the use it sitting in the bank only thinking about the future. But it doesn’t have to be one or the other if everyone in that home pulls their own weight within their own abilities.

So I can see some dynamics changing in some homes after this. As they sit, asking themselves about if it’s all worth it in their current situation.

There is a balance though?

Ironic that everyone screams about how other people should do more to "save the planet" - the big corporate targets such as airlines and big business, the evil bastard farmers and "city pollution" and then collectively we have the opportunity to see how relative small scale backs can make a HUGE difference to our planet, and people are too busy complaining about the negative effect on their mental health, their finances, their lives.

Your kids have to live on this planet you know? Their children as well - we've got to look after it. We can fuck the economy and this virus can wipe out 50% of the population and the human race will survive, albeit in a very very different normal. But if we fuck this planet at the rate we have been doing, our children and their children will pay for it with their lives. How shortsighted are the people of MN collectively?

I cannot wait to return to normal, though i will work from home more often to reduce commuting.
My daughter is missing nursery and holidays too

I’ve unfriended everyone who’s posted that pish on Facebook. It’s so fucking smug and inane.

I think the current situation has been quite bad for people’s physical health, making us far more sedentary. And atrocious for mental health with the lack of socializing, increase in anxiety, horrendous increase in attempts at social ostracising and outcasting, etc.

I don’t know where you get the idea it’s been good for health outside of Covid-19 deaths.

I'm a bit of a homebody so don't mind being indoors so much. I'm working from home and don't have kids so can get on pretty easily without distractions. If it wasn't for this horrific virus threatening the lives of family and friends and the population at large, I would be loving it. I worry for so many people. People struggling financially, people in abusive relationships, people with mental health problems, people with other health problems who are now having to wait until this is done to get the treatment they need.

I still think there are too many takeaways and coffee shops. They do seem to exacerbate the litter problems and are not great for the environment.

I rarely used them before anyway. Some are fine but not as many as before

I sleep better as I'm not stressed about my commute and being organised in the morning. WFH is ok but not everyday for ever.

This new norm might suit some but it certainly doesn’t suit the global economy and many many people are going to be in the shit financially once the dust settles.

I'm getting a bit sick of people deciding pretty much all retail spending is a "waste of money". I have just lost my job in retail head office - we all did. The place has shuttered. So, the local PR firm we used has lost a big client, as has the web support guy. Our supplier in another European country will probably struggle to reopen without our orders. Our box factory and mail order packaging supplier will probably have to make cutbacks. Our stores have closed, making yet another hole in the high street. If you're not careful what you wish for, it'll be Primark or nothing.

I’ve unfriended everyone who’s posted that pish on Facebook. It’s so fucking smug and inane.

Me, too!

We’re in a very fortunate position in that we are as yet unaffected. I’m worried about my job (furloughed) but I think as long as the business (non essential manufacturing) survives I should be ok. Husband taken a temp pay cut but we’re ok. Me and my DD (3) are starting to drive each other crazy. There’s a lot I miss. But I think the slower base of life has something to be desired. We’re all sleeping better. Husband has realised WFH is completely manageable and he’ll do it more often I think even when things start to get back to normal. Getting up at 0630 and the right nursery schedule not looking forward to. But occasional play dates and seeing my mum again and not having to queue to shop would be awesome.

*tight nursery schedule

@BoomBoomsCousin
I agree about health outside of Clovid-19

People really underestimate how badly isolation can impact mh. It’s not like a movie about a break down, quick spell in hospital and that’s it.

The clipboard “officers” with their rules about acceptable behaviour making people stressed, lack of food, isolation, gyms closed, lack of delivery slots etc, is hard on everyone. Even those who think it’s all pretend and a joke and will never happen to them, might be a who different person at the end of this.

These things really do change a person. Look at all the studies around this and the long term health impacts.

We are already a nation that needs to be outside to get as much D12 as possible, and even more so our children. But you take them out for a walk tuts all around - when normally you’re encouraging them to step away from the tech and play outside.

Sitting around doing very little. The panic buyers are going to be more impacted health wise. Sitting at home, doing very little as they eat their way through all that excess food they bought and continue to stock up.

Questions about the money tree to fund all these things and why it wasn’t invested before. Unless the government think they can hike up the taxes to some ridiculous amount, without backlash.

😃 @peppermintcapsules