The New Normal

“The New Normal”……..This is now a common term you have been hearing. I experienced this new normal phasing in with the wearing of masks, since I’ve been back at work. Going to the shops and seeing more and more people wearing the masks (now mandatory). It is becoming more normal or easier to go out with a mask, compared to the beginning when there was the odd person here and there wearing a mask.

I have been thinking to myself, when going back into the real world…..will we remember how “to be” with one another again? There will be a change in the mannerism of social skills. We won’t be able to approach each other as what we were used to or what was the norm THEN. We now have to adjust to a new way of greeting, no more handshakes or hugs (even for affection or support). We have to learn to read what is “told”, from our eyes only.

We will have to learn different social queues, like with social distancing, not seeing it as being rude when speaking (“shouting”) to someone through the mask and at a distance. Instead, the New Norm is……, your message needs to get across correctly and clearly and hopefully being understood.

Sanitising now, has to become OCD-like, where it’s going to become the New Norm to have your sanitiser at hand and disinfect your hands after everything you have touched- and this will be seen as normal, not crazy. You will even be doing it in your sleep.

With all of these restrictions and limits of socially interacting with one another in a different way, we have to come to terms with it and get used to this New Norm and learn along the way! There has been a lot of entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and drive in moving along with this “New”.

• People have discovered their creative storytelling techniques to explain Corona Virus to children and society.
• Seamstresses are super popular now, making masks and some have even learnt to create their own designer masks.
• Some people have even thought of shields to allow for the face to be more visible and for it to be a bit more breathable or comfortable to wear.
• Apps have been created to understand the different levels.
• Internet has been boosted in order for people to still be working.
• Teachers have become more tech savvy and learnt a different form of teaching, having to be creative for their pupils to understand.
• Teens have learnt (or are learning) to become more responsible for their school work and adapting to distance learning therefore, preparing them for varsity.
• Parents have understood the teachers point of view on what the child is expected to get done and how their own child functions with school work. Some parents are even appreciating teachers more.
• Children have become more chore orientated and helpful (maybe some).
• Even some poorer of the poor have been finally noticed and been provided for.

Here is a story for the kids to understand the reasons for wearing the mask and to become comfortable with the idea. Thanks to Tara from Autism Little Learners: https://www.autismlittlelearners.com/https://www.autismlittlelearners.com/

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Here are some creative entrepreneurs creating different types of masks and shields. Have a look (let’s call it advertising for them):

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

So as Renee Jain’s post on Facebook in The Science of Happiness for Kids states:…..”By bending you will become stronger….” And that is exactly what we need to do, bend (adjust)!