Well, here we are in 2021 with new normals. Few years in American history are so eventful they garner a reputation of their own and the year 2020 was it!
It was certainly historic, unlike any other, it was a time that ushered in a wave of challenging changes. The optimism and celebrations of early January were quickly replaced with fear and uncertainty as COVID-19 reared its ugly head – a global pandemic that’s been referred to as a “once-in-a-century” event.
For many of us, the implication of a global pandemic meant that we had to work remotely, wear masks, skip the gym, and order everything in. For others, sheltering in place meant loneliness and isolation. Suffice it to say, we all had to adapt to a new restricted way of living. Some of us went along willingly and others not so much.
No one would argue how we’ve certainly had to make the pandemic’s life-altering measures fit into our lives. Here is a list of the things that once were, to what is now considered our new normals:
Once upon a time: Donald J. Trump, a man who created a harsh division between the citizens in this country and who led us down a long and painful spiral
New normal: President Joe Biden who gives us a huge sigh of relief from the anxieties that plagued our country these past four years
Once upon a time: dining inside a restaurant
New normal: curbside pick-up
Once upon a time: visiting a doctor’s office
New normal: Telemedicine services
Once upon a time: watching your weight
New normal: “Quarantine 19,” packing pounds during the pandemic
Once upon a time: getting stuck in heavy traffic on your way to work
New normal: rolling out of bed and working remotely
Once upon a time: sticking to a work dress code
New normal: scoffing at restrictive attire and being productive in PJ’s or sweats
Once upon a time: going to movie theaters
New normal: watching movies on Netflix, Apple TV, or other online streaming platforms
Once upon a time: shopping in brick & mortar stores
New normal: shopping online
Once upon a time: gym memberships
New normal: at-home workouts
Once upon a time: manicures & pedicures at salons
New normal: DIY at-home manicures & pedicures
Once upon a time: boring Mike Pence
New normal: dynamic Vice President Kamala Harris
Once upon a time: surgical masks
New normal: eye-catching masks
Once upon a time: attending live music concerts
New normal: virtual concerts
Once upon a time: visiting your therapist’s office
New normal: addressing your mental issues via virtual therapy
Once upon a time: walking into a showroom to purchase a car
New normal: virtual car buying
Once upon a time: shopping at a grocery store
New normal: online grocery shopping
Once upon a time: picking up your takeout order
New normal: using a food delivery service like DoorDash or Uber Eats
Once upon a time: materialism
New normal: minimalism
Once upon a time: permed hair
New normal: natural hair
Once upon a time: styled hair
New normal: African headwrap
Once upon a time: watching gossip shows on TV
New normal: hitting YouTube to catch up on gossip via shows like Cocktails with Queens hosted by Claudia Jordan
Once upon a time: the clean-shaven look
New normal: an unkempt 5 o’clock shadow