Change happens, every day, however, our new normal seems like it happened almost overnight.
Yes, the reality of our new normal is that it is here.
Really it did not happen overnight, but change surely happened fast.
Change is ever-present.
Therefore dwelling in the past won’t get you ahead and can actually adversely affect your personal well-being.
Instead, to move through change, you have to accept what is happening and move forward into the future.
Change might seem abrasive, upsetting, but trying to live in denial of change makes it worse.
You don’t have to LOVE our new normal, but you have to at least give it a chance, as your future is straight ahead.
For some, adjusting to our new normal is a dream come true.
However, adjusting to our new normal, means understanding what our new normal is?
Let’s take a look at our new normal and embrace it together.
What Exactly Defines Our New Normal?
It seems like a few weeks ago, all eyes were on China.
Then, as we slept, it is as though the transference of imminent needed change followed.
The USA was under attack and it was not a war against a country, rather a war against a virus gone crazy.
Each of us waking up to newscasts, discussions, and Trump Tweets (SMH) that we must QUASH virus spreading, etc.
What? How did this happen? Panic set in.
Officially Unofficial ~ Change Is Not A Foreign Concept
I need to be clear however, that change is always something happening in our world, not just due to the outbreak.
Our jobs vary, and maybe because the word ‘vary’ is less strong, we accept our ‘varying’ work hours, descriptions, duties?
No day is the same. One day we might get a text, the next a phone call.
Maybe we get 300 emails one day and the next day nothing?
Some have meetings daily, and then teleconferences. Is this not change?
For others, they might have a full travel schedule each day and then for weeks not travel.
Our new normal is every day and we accept it, but as soon as the actual words, ‘Our New Normal’ are publicly spoken we resist.
Ahhh! Now you understand. It’s not OUR NEW NORMAL, it’s just the words that make it official.
Making something ‘OFFICIAL’ is scary but have faith, accepting the past, lets you move through to the future with brighter days ahead.
Turning the Volume Up On Change from 0-100
One of the biggest changes anyone has in their lives can be having kids.
Your life of you is now your life with them.
Change is provided to you the moment you find out you are pregnant and you move through it.
Body changes, housing changes, additions to meals, activities, schedule changes, work changes.
Your kids are your everything and …..
Everything you do, they depend on.
Having kids is a game-changer.
What I might not have loved before, I’ve accepted.
Poopie butts, to meltdowns, tears of laughter and joy to tears of hurt.
Life will rake you through the coals as you parent and you will change EVERY single day to adapt to what YOUR kids need.
Why? Life changes. Beliefs change.
Morals and values don’t have to. Those are what DEFINE you. Keep them and you will, why wouldn’t you?
NO one needs to give you permission for that.
There, the elephant is out of the room.
Now What IS Our New Normal?
Our new life debuted about 2 weeks ago and keeps on giving, and we keep on yielding.
Resistance solves nothing, but as we evolve, change and move forward, we are still who we were.
Implementing routine changes, schedule changes, work changes and social interactions are what define our new normal.
What does not change, is who we are, our intrinsic, self-owned values and morals.
Why would change take those away?
You are who you are and our new normal is not stripping you of those.
Perhaps, that alone is enough to help you push through these very ‘trying’ times.
#1 Strike a Work Balance ~ Amenities Abound!
So many people are working from home, and that may be a very positive model for many.
Now anyone that can (except the food industry) will be working from home.
What’s the change that makes it possible?
The internet and that is glorious, so the USA does not have to shut down.
Many might be upset that they still have to work from home, but that would negatively impact the economy don’t you think?
Having a job provides your bottom line.
Since you are working from home, make sure to strike work balance.
Work your HOURS and then STOP. Just because your laptop or tablet is there and your phone does not mean you are working 24/7.
Take regular breaks, breathe the fresh air, or take a small walk, you’ve got the chance to do this.
You have your own bathroom and kitchen.
Stop for lunch, enjoy your amenities.
Therefore our new normal, has you working from your home office and really stopping for your breaks and quitting on time.
In fact, for many, you might find you are MORE Productive in your work hours with LESS disruption.
Kimmie the office gossip can’t walk to your office, she has to email.
Tim can’t come in and critique your yet to be shared project on your desk that you are working on because he can’t see it!
You don’t have to fight traffic, drive your car or for some get out of your pj’s.
Yep, all things that MIGHT be true.
Before you snub the idea of working for home, consider that our new normal might be a really great time to ree
#2 Embrace Your Inner ‘Rachel Ray’ or ‘Bobbie Flay’
Cook More. Eat Out, Less.
First, you have to be able to find food, which is disgusting that in our day and age and in the richest country in the world, it is EVEN like this.
Once you sequester the goods, OWN THIS, cause you are on badass kitchen Chef waiting to be let out of the shugga bag baby!
You are sweet and ready to burst and your skills have just begun to evolve.
Here’s the thing, you really don’t or won’t have a choice.
Why? The virus is spreading and food places are closing.
If you think YOU were having a tough time finding food imagine restauranters.
Hoarding took over and there’s simply so little left.
Demand overtook supply.
Do you really want to order delivered food, and then have to WIPE down the take-out containers, before you eat.
No thank you.
Need some bread-making inspiration? Try this really easy French Baguette recipe.
Maybe you want some sweet cinnamon bread? Or Instant Pot Recipes?
Try some new desserts!
Simple salads, fast sandwiches, anything that lets you take small steps towards incredible kitchen moments!
#3 Our New Normal ~ Goals You Might Not Have Met
At the beginning of the year, you vowed to walk more.
Your fitness tracker app kept track.
However, you did not keep your end of the promise to yourself.
Well, you can now.
In between calls, emails, texts. Get up, move.
Climb the stairs, walk the dog, take a walk.
Move. Exercise is good for you.
Start small and increase your goals each day.
Maybe 1000 more steps a day?
In a few weeks, you will see big goal results.
Now that’s your new NORMAL.
Some might have started a new healthy eating lifestyle, most will find the need to incorporate more water.
However, drinking more water and having meeting all day made it a bit harder.
Of course, there are those who want to drink more water and have to fly or be on the road.
Um, it makes this a bit more challenging.
So, now you can drink more water. Accept this small thing as a win, as you can keep on schedule with a personal targeted goal.
Targeted goals that we accomplish allow us to feel more positive about ourselves right?
Don’t lose it, stay with it, no matter how your world transitions, and it will.
#4 Social Distancing without Being Anti-Social
Don’t shut the world out, just because you are at home.
While many might tell you to stay off social media, it’s really a large part of our lives.
In fact, it’s an important part of who we are.
Don’t be negative and don’t let negative messaging appear on your feed.
Look for positivity, and spread positivity (in a time of not wanting to spread things, you can spread this without touching anyone!)
Post happy faces, good messages, new goals, food pics. Keep it bright, and reflect good days ahead and the day you are in!
We have ways to communicate that we did not before, it’s called technology.
Embrace it.
Facetime, WhatsApp, Messenger, SKYPE, etc.
Express yourself on Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, FB.
DM people you might not see as much.
Text, call email.
The world is literally at your fingertips, don’t be anti-social.
Stay in touch, stay social.
#5 Keep A Schedule in Our New Normal
One of the hardest things about change is trying to keep a schedule.
Walk the dog early in the morning, and late at night.
Chat with your friends, and if no one is ill in your friend group, keep the group small and gather with one another.
Perhaps you always eat dinner at 5.
Do it.
Just because you are working at home, does not mean stop your schedule.
If keeping a schedule is what keeps your pulled together, do it.
Keep up on your life, because that is a constant and a way to keep bolted in the world you know.
Don’t stop. What makes change easier to accept is keeping something we previously did intact.
Do just that. Retain any part of your schedule that you can.
Change is not meant to bulldoze your life, just to transport you to the future.
Find the Positive in Our New Normal
You’ve got this, really.
Don’t go out if you are feeling ill.
Shop off hours, and don’t attend large gatherings. That’s the starting point.
Each of us is STRONG human beings whether we care to accept that sentiment or not.
What challenges us, makes us stronger and remember, this time too shall pass.
Take time to reevaluate and prioritize your life. It’s your moment and that makes it great!
Move forward. Enjoy your new lease on life.
From suddenly having a window at your home office after not having one at your corporate office, to clean, private bathrooms.
There’s something small and positive to take away from our new normal.
Newfound cooking skills, food prep and different ways to shop.
Maybe more time with loved ones and less away from those negative office spaces that many won’t admit are toxic.
Greet each new day with a smile, and have Alexa/Google bring you current on today’s latest news.
Focus on moving forward, while keeping pieces of who you were.
Socialize in ways you choose, yet distance to stay well.
Our new normal is what each of us makes it.
One breath at a time and one day at a time. ~Dana Vento XO
Disclaimer
The information on DanaVento.com is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be substituted for the advice provided by your doctor or other healthcare professional. If you rely upon any programs or techniques or use any of the products and services made available by or through the use of our website for decision making, without obtaining the advice of a physician or other healthcare professional, you do so at your own risk. The nutritional and other information on our website is not intended to be and does not constitute health care or medical advice.
