7 Social Changes I Hope Continue After the Pandemic

This past year has been a whopper.

COVID-19 hit the nation and all hell broke loose.

Months later we’re still trying to cope with sickness, isolation, depression, and losing loved ones.

I try so hard to focus on what comes after all this. It’s the one thought that keeps me hopeful for the return of some sort of normalcy. Where people aren’t dying or getting sick and we can spend more time with our friends and family again.

With all that said, there are some things I hope don’t return to ‘normal’ ever again.

1. Consideration for Personal Space

I know some people comment about 6-foot social distancing with irritation, but I sort of like it. It’s not that I don’t like people. I just don’t miss feeling like I’m collecting personal stalkers in public spaces. Call me crazy, but I don’t miss the days when the next shopper in line behind me was practically shoving me through check out with their cart.

Gone are the days of shopping in crowded stores. No more standing in condensed versions of a line for the cashier.

I recently went to my local BMV and found a line of no more than three people inside because that is all they allowed in the building at a time. And even though the line staggered out the door a few people, it was overall a much nicer experience than in years past. The line moved swiftly and without anyone elbowing someone else.

I don’t miss the congestion of people in public spaces.

2. More Room Between Restaurant Tables

The two times this past year my spouse and I have dared to venture to a local eatery, the first thing we’ve noticed is the lack of tables and chairs. No longer are the dining areas tightly packed with seating.

Navigating around so many closely knit obstacles can be difficult when you happen to be in a wheelchair like my husband. The spaciousness of restaurant floors is a welcomed product of pandemic-life.

It’s also nice to be able to carry on a conversation with my date without needing to shout over adjacent talkative diners. I just hope this continues when this is all over because we have no plans to eat out again until then.

3. Fewer Grocery Store Trips

Store-pickup is the best thing since sliced bread! Why did we wait so long before making this so easy?

Not only has pickup helped me avoid crowds of possibly ill people, but it’s also made my shopping so darn easy. My local store’s app makes it simple for everyone in my house to add to the shopping list when they’ve finished off their favorite foods from the fridge or pantry.

And putting in a weekly order has saved me time. No longer do we give in to last-minute runs to the grocery because we’re in the mood for something different for dinner or because I forgot an ingredient. My dinners are planned out for each week. If I’ve forgotten something, we make do without it.

Meal planning like this has also saved me a ton of money. If I’m not running to the store every other day for something, I don’t spend any money on anything else either.

Weekly shopping and ordering have been an adjustment for our household but I’ll never go back.

4. Hand Washing and Sanitizer

When using a public restroom, it always amazes me to see another person leave without washing their hands. It’s disgusting.

Now any time I have no choice but to use a public restroom it’s nice to see everyone washing their hands and allowing plenty of space for others to do so as well. I’m sure there are still people who don’t wash their hands, but I don’t notice them like I used to.

I like that hand sanitizer seems to be everywhere also. I carry a small bottle in my bag with me everywhere and there’s always one in my vehicle. It never occurred to me before the pandemic to do so. But the thought of touching the same clipboard as the last several dozen people in the pharmacy drive-thru gives me chills. So I’m grateful for my little bottles.

I’ve also noticed cashiers wiping clean the touch-pads after each use. Why don’t we do this all the time, pandemic or not? I don’t like being sick with anything and I’m fairly certain everyone else feels the same way.

5. Virtual Appointments

Just like the grocery pickup, virtual appointments save me time. They also save me the cost of gas traveling back and forth. And in a household where half the members have specialists an hour away, this adds up.

I also like that we no longer need to sit among a roomful of sick people to see our doctor regarding less pressing issues.

6. Emphasis on Health

I’m embarrassed to admit that I haven’t previously taken my own health as seriously prior to this pandemic. Even as a fairly healthy person getting older has still taken its toll. So I’ve tried to educate myself on the things I need to understand now about my own health and, thanks to virtual appointments, have also consulted my doctor on some things.

I now stick with a daily vitamin regimen along with fitting in some sort of daily exercise between writing sessions. It’s all too easy for me to get lost in the words and forget to get up and move some. But I’m working on that.

I’ve created a new daily schedule for myself too, which has helped me achieve more creation during the day as well as sleep better at night.

7. Saying No Has Gotten Easier

Living through a pandemic seems to give everyone an out for anything they want. It’s sort of awesome.

Gone are the days when I’ve said yes simply because I felt obligated to. No longer do any of us need to come up with an excuse when our friend asks us to help them move. We can simply say, no. And our friend accepts it without question or guilt-trip because we’re all just trying to get through this crazy pandemic.

The pandemic is the reason I’ve been able to practice saying no. And the more I get to say it, the more comfortable I’ll be when this pandemic is over.

I suppose I’m sort of a glass-half-full sort of person. It’s what helps keep me going through all the chaos. Focusing on these small positives keeps the massiveness of uncertainty and fear from creeping in and taking over my daily thoughts.

Honestly, as much as I hope the things above continue after this pandemic ends, I’ll be just as happy if they don’t because the horrors of COVID-19 will be done.

Are there things you hope to continue after the pandemic is done? I’d love to hear about them.

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