Finding a New Normal

Have you been thinking about how to find a new normal in the wake of the pandemic? It has been on my mind over the last few weeks. I had an opportunity this past weekend to visit the Calgary Zoo for the first time since the pandemic. It made me think about how we can find our way back to a healthy routine and finding a new normal in our lives.  

Being Emotionally Disoriented

I have mentioned in other articles the feeling of being emotionally disorientated during the pandemic. There have been many good days, but there are other days where I feel like it is a real struggle.

Being emotionally disorientated should not mean that we sit on the couch all day eating junk food. It is realizing that we have feelings of internal stress because there is no normal. Things are changing all the time and they continue to change even as the restrictions are being relaxed. After several months of being emotionally disoriented, this can take its toll even on the best of us.

Change in Routine

One of the hardest changes in routine for me was not being able to visit the Calgary Zoo. The Calgary Zoo is one of my favorite places to go when I have some free time.

When my husband and I were taking photography courses, one of our field trips was to the Calgary Zoo. Since that day, it has been one of the places we go to when we want to practice photographing animals. Not only is it a place for photography practice, it is a great place to for a nice walk and some pleasant conversation. Visiting the zoo is an opportunity to slow down, to be together and relax has been so helpful to both of us.

The Calgary Zoo is also a place I go to sketch and work on my art skills. A lot of my friends also love visiting the zoo, so for me it is a place with many positive memories of connection. The change in routine of losing one of my favorite places for a few months was not easy.

Dealing with Change

Now that businesses are starting to reopen in my city, we are now dealing with change more than ever. How do we interact safely with others to not cause another outbreak? In many ways our society is forever changed, and it will not go back to the way it was before. Part of dealing with change in a positive way is embracing the reality that visiting the places we love is going to be different and that is okay.  

No Expectations

One way of finding a new normal is by having no expectations on our current situation. When we do this, it allows us to enjoy the activity for what it is, not what we expected it to be.

I was so excited to hear that the zoo was open and that I was able to get tickets for reopening day. I went in with no expectation of what we would see or what we would have access to. I went knowing some of the buildings were closed and that there was a one-way route through the zoo. But I was just so grateful that we were able to visit the zoo.

When we arrived at the zoo, I was so impressed with how they set up things for social distancing. Everything was so well marked. Viewing areas had circles to ensure social distancing, there were markers everywhere to help. It was set up so well that the anxiety that I had about keeping social distancing went away quickly. They set it up in a way that made it possible to have a great zoo visit. As a result, for the first time since the pandemic, something felt normal.

By having no expectations, I had one of the best zoo visits I have had in a while. So many of the animals were out and were very curious and engaged. I think they missed having the zoo visitors around. In the Calgary Zoo, the peacocks wander free throughout the grounds. On at least 4 occasions I saw peacocks fanning their tails to show off. That is something I have not seen that often. The whole day was an amazing experience and I feel grateful that we had the opportunity to visit.

Embracing the New Normal

With so many changes in how businesses need to operate, embracing the new normal is more important than ever. Many shops have limitations for the number of patrons allowed in the store, so there are lineups everywhere you go. Many places require masks and hand sanitizer to even be in their building, things are not the way they were.

We need to find a way to embrace the new normal without living in fear. It is very easy to fall into fearful living, with the news and information surrounding the pandemic not making it easy to remain optimistic. By accepting what is and working within these constraints can help us move towards finding a new normal.  

This is our new normal. By finding a new normal and embracing change we can still enjoy our lives. We can do activities we enjoy, even if it is in a limited fashion. We need to do our best to find the joy in this new normal.

How about You?

How are you managing the emotional disorientation and finding a new normal right now? I would love to hear from you. Feel free to comment below or contact me directly. I hope that you have a great week and are having time for self care in your personal life.