Is the new normal a little too normal?

I think we can all agree that the last few years have been a bit of a whirlwind. The pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the economic rollercoaster—it's been a lot to handle. But as we start to emerge from this period of upheaval, I can't help but wonder if we're in danger of returning to the same old, boring normal.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that the old normal was all bad. There was a lot to be said for the stability and predictability of it all. But after everything we've been through, I can't help but feel like we've missed an opportunity to create something new and better.

The pandemic showed us that we're capable of great things when we work together. We learned how to be more resilient, more adaptable, and more compassionate. We also learned that a lot of the things we thought were essential really aren't. We can live without constant travel, without endless meetings, and without buying a new pair of shoes every week.

So why are we so quick to go back to the old ways? Why are we so eager to get back to a life that wasn't really working for us in the first place?

I think part of it is fear. We're afraid of change. We're afraid of the unknown. But I think we're also afraid of admitting that we're not happy with the way things were before. We're afraid of admitting that we want more from life.

But what if we could create a new normal that's better than the old one? What if we could build a world that's more just, more sustainable, and more fulfilling?

It won't be easy, but I believe it's possible. And I think it's worth fighting for.

So let's not settle for the old normal. Let's not go back to the way things were. Let's create a new normal that's better than ever before.

Here are a few ideas to get us started:

• Let's focus on our relationships. Spend more time with the people we love. Build stronger connections with our communities.
• Let's take care of our planet. Reduce our waste. Conserve energy. Support sustainable businesses.
• Let's pursue our passions. Do what we love. Find work that fulfills us.
• Let's be more compassionate. Help those in need. Stand up for what we believe in.

It's not going to be easy, but I believe we can do it. Let's create a new normal that's better than ever before.