Lost My Catering and Sales Job During the Coronavirus and Getting Jiggy With It: Embracing the New Normal

Yesterday was my last day at work. At least for a while, until this new normal changes. Until yesterday, I was employed as a full-time sales manager at a local hotel, and this morning I woke up a full time stay at home husband/dad. Everything changed overnight. Or did it?

• a. If this is our new normal, how different from our old normal
  will this be?
• b. Are there lessons to be learned in this moment, so our next
  new normal is better than the last?
• c. Can I possibly get my hands any cleaner?

I guess we could say the writing was on the proverbial wall. We were either not informed, under-informed, or over-informed to the point of ignoring the possibilities of a potential viral pandemic that we now find ourselves embracing our new normal. And this new normal is very different. We find ourselves practicing “social distancing,” trying our best to keep at least 6 feet between ourselves and anyone outside our household.

We spend more time washing our hands, disinfecting countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and pretty much anything else more than one person touches.

Most of us are also “self-quarantining,” remaining at home and away from any public gatherings. Aside from picking up necessary groceries, we really don’t get to see many people outside of our own homes. The problem with this is human beings are social beings. We are touchers, huggers, kissers, and socializers.

And now, we are becoming adapters. We are being forced to adapt to a new normal, where we must assume either we are viral vehicles or those we know and love could carry the virus. This new normal has the potential to completely reorient the way we as humans live our daily lives.

Traffic is at a minimum, which means fewer emissions. Cleaner air. More families out on bikes or walking through neighborhoods greeting neighbors at a comfortable distance. The shutdown has changed the way we see what is necessary and what is “extra.” It’s almost a step back in time. A reorientation of what is possible. And perhaps, what is truly important. I keep reminding myself that this is not a man-made
disaster, but could it be used to improve our quality of life? Can we move forward, both during this extraordinary event and after, and be mindful of those around us? Can we continue to reach out to those who need us? Can we grateful and show our appreciation for those who work hard to ensure we have the good we need to survive? Can we learn to see the beauty of open spaces, and enjoy them while respecting the space of others? And politically, regardless of our affiliation, can we see that perhaps there is truth to be found in the middle, and then work towards bringing that truth to life? Can we see that in this crisis and beyond, there is more that binds us to each other than that which separates us?

Moving forward, I’m going to “get jiggy with it.” I’m setting reminders on my phone to wash my hands. I’m mindful of my distance between myself and others. I will smile more at others, knowing that in these times a smile can change a person’s day. I remain hopeful that my family stays virus free. I am not just going to make the best of this, I am going to get jiggy.