“This is the New Normal”. Personally, I am tired of hearing that phrase and I want the “Old Normal” back. I want to be able to go to my office and see my co-workers in person. I want to go back to my cigar lounge and give people a hard time (I cherish that ?), or go to the liquor store and buy bourbon. I want to socialize with my friends and family without having to use technology and most importantly I don’t want to be told how much toilet paper to buy or have to stand in line for it! If this is the New Normal…I think I’ll pass.
Last week I exchanged emails with a friend and complained to her about how I dislike working from home and my New Normal. Her suggestion was that I go for walk and get some fresh air, though when I say suggestion it was more like a challenge. I came up with every excuse I could think of and she had an answer for all of them. Sometimes role reversal sucks! In order to get her off of my back I went for the walk. To kill two birds with one stone, I took a cigar with me, since that’s how I relax and enjoy myself.
During my walk I took some time to lift my head and just look around.
I noticed a few things: there are signs that some construction is planned around my neighborhood, and the office complex across the street has changed its name and its signage. I saw new flowers blooming and listened to birds chirping. Overall, it was quiet and peaceful. After reading this, you may think that I have no idea what is going on, but I have my own routine and walking around my neighborhood is not part of it.
Switching up the routine of spending my days going to the office (in this case home office), followed by whatever activity I may do after work gave me a different outlook. I have talked in the past of creating and strengthening habits but sometimes it’s good to break routine and do something different to change things up a bit.
This weekend when you do something, do it differently, even if it’s only slightly different. If you go for a walk, take a different route. If you cook, use a different spice…you get the idea. It may awaken something else within you.
As much as I may dislike the New Normal, it has given me a new perspective and taught me to look at things differently. So, to my friend who suggested I ruin a good cigar with a walk outside…thank you.
Maybe for the short term this New Normal is not so bad.
“Open your mind, break free from your conditioned routine and reignite the flames of excitement and discovery.” – Dr. Steve Maraboli
Vijay