The New Normal is NOW: Ready, Set, Relate by Suzanne Kondner
- Jun
- 04
- Posted by Suzanne Kondner
- Posted in Main
New…Now…Normal
We have been asked to follow advice on staying safe, which for many of us includes staying home, working remotely, and distancing from people. Air hugs are now a popular way to show love and affection. The result is that many things are new, such as wearing a mask: wearing a mask at the grocery store, wearing a mask when walking in the neighborhood, and wearing a mask when meeting someone. Is this the new normal?
Normality is a behavior that can be normal for an individual (intrapersonal normality) when it is consistent with the most common behavior for that person. Wearing a mask is certainly not my most common behavior. Wearing a mask is not my normal behavior.
Normal is also used to describe individual behavior that conforms to the most common behavior in society (known as conformity). OMG! Now wearing a mask IS my new normal. Of course, what’s normal today may be “abnormal” in the future. Let’s hope!
Reflecting on the Positive in the Here and Now
This stay-at-home situation may be having a negative impact on many of us. Home distractions, financial challenges, lack of connections with others, health concerns, and a variety of other situations may lead us to have negative feelings and reactions such as depression, anger, sadness, and many other unpleasant emotions.
What can we do to bounce back? What can we do to move forward in a positive direction? What can we do to remotivate and reinspire our self?
Occasionally, engaging in a mindset renewal process helps us to restore and refresh our view, to rejuvenate our approach to the situation, and to reestablish our positive focus. One such simple approach is to reflect on the positives in a situation. In other words, most challenges or problems have a flip side. What is the humor? What is the lightheartedness? What is the wisdom? Reflecting on what has been learned can show us a benefit from the experience.
Finding a Passion
Another mindset renewal technique is to identify a meaningful goal for yourself. Are you feeling an interest in any one of these eight (8) ways to move forward in a positive direction?
Goal Ideas… |
Select and make a specific commitment to a personal growth and development item |
Practice stepping outside of your comfort zone once a month |
Take greater responsibility for your life choices with even a small choice each day |
Make a monthly connection with a high-vibe person who inspires and motivates you to achieve more and be more |
Demonstrate your self-confidence in life/work situations |
Seize the moment each day by asking “What is the best use of my time right now?” |
Find an opportunity this month to do something meaningful |
Stretch yourself this week to do something new or different with passion, dedication, persistence, and self-discipline |