In her essay, “Why I’m Never Going Back to Normal,” writer and activist Courtney E. Martin reflects on what it means to live in a post-pandemic world. For Martin, the pandemic has been a time of introspection and growth, and she’s realized that she doesn’t want to go back to her old life.
1)Why I’m never going back to normal
I’m never going back to “normal.”
I used to think that “normal” was something to aspire to. That it was the goal we should all strive for in life. But I’ve come to realize that “normal” is just a construct that society has created to keep us in line. It’s a way to control us and make us conform to what they want us to be.
And I encourage you to do the same.
screw “normal.” It’s overrated, it’s boring, and it’s not for me.
2)The new normal is better
I’m never going back to “normal.”
I used to think that normal was the goal. That’s what everyone strived for,
But I don’t want to be like everyone else. I want to be unique. I want to be different.
And I’m not alone.
There are so many people out there who are like me. Who don’t want to be “normal.” Who want to be their own person.
And that’s okay.
In fact, it’s better than okay. It’s great!
We should celebrate our differences. Embrace them.
Normal is boring. Different is interesting.
So let’s be different. Let’s be ourselves. Let’s create our own “new normal.”
3)I don’t miss the old normal
We would wake up, go to work, come home, and repeat.
Now, I don’t miss the old normal one bit. I’m so much happier now that I’ve made some changes in my life. I’m no longer a slave to my job, and I’m living my life on my own terms. Life is too short to be unhappy. Make some changes and live your best life.
4)There’s no going back
There’s no going back.
I’m done with normal. I’m done with the 9-5 grind, the soul-sucking commute, the never-ending cycle of work and bills and responsibilities.
5)Why I’m never going back to the way things were
It’s been almost a year since the pandemic started. And in that time, I’ve learned a lot about myself. And I’ve /fc8z-_vuvcg learned that I don’t want to go back to the way things were.
Here are five reasons why I’m never going back to the way things were:
1. I don’t want to go back to a life of constant busy-ness.
Before the pandemic, I was always on the go. I was always busy with work, with social commitments, with everything. And it was exhausting. I don’t want to go back to that. I want to continue to slow down and enjoy my life.
2. I don’t want to go back to a life of constant stress.
The pandemic has been stressful, for sure. But it’s also been a time of relative peace and calm for me. I don’t want to go back to a life of constant stress and anxiety. I want to continue to find ways to reduce the stress in my life.
3. I don’t want to go back to a life of being tethered to my phone.
I’ve definitely been guilty of spending too much time on my phone. But during the pandemic, I’ve been trying to use my phone less and be more present in the moment. I don’t want to go back to a life of being attached to my phone. I want to continue to find ways to disconnect from technology and connect with people and the world around me.
4. I don’t want to go back to a life of unhealthy habits.
The pandemic has been a time of big changes for me, including changes to my diet and exercise habits. I don’t want to go back to my old, unhealthy habits. I want to continue to live a healthier life.
5. I don’t want to go back to a life of taking things for granted.
