On The Bright Side... Looking For The Positive Amid COVID-19
I've heard a lot of folks say that they can't wait for this pandemic to end so that things can get back to "normal."
And while I do miss traveling and hosting parties for family and friends, I don't necessarily want things to completely go back to normal.
Because I think this time at home has led to some good.
Like the realization of how important it is to grow some your own food.
When COVID-19 first hit us, people freaked out.
And, as a result, store shelves were wiped clean.
So, folks took the initiative to start growing their own fruits and vegetables.
Home gardening exploded.
Not only was it something to do besides sitting around the house, gardening provided a sense of self-reliance – a dedicated food source that wasn't tied to our broken food supply chains.
I don't want to see those home gardens shrivel up and die with a return to "normal." That would be a real shame.
Another thing I wouldn't want to see return is food waste.
Pre-pandemic, Americans were wasting TONS of food.
Like about 37 million tons of food annually.
But this pandemic has shifted our buying habits.
With so many foods in short supply, we now get what we need, not necessarily what we want.
And that has resulted in less food waste, something I'm 100% on board with.
Something else I'm on board with? The resurgence of riding bikes.
With no place to go, biking outdoors has become a favorite activity for many.
If you started the pandemic without a bike at home, you may have had a tough time getting your hands on one.
Bikes are selling like hotcakes.
And for good reason.
I know when I'm flat out tired of walking around the neighborhood, I'll snap on my helmet and hit the road for a ride.
Sometimes I look for a new trail or park. Others, I'll just ride with no destination in mind.
There's something freeing about being on a bike.
Faster pace than a walk. And I'm able to go further than I would have gone on foot.
Another positive outcome of this pandemic has been more family time.
Now, I'm sure some of you might say that this has been too much family time.
But being quarantined at home with loved ones gave us a chance to reconnect.
There's no running out to drop kids off at soccer practice or ballet class.
No meeting up with friends for tennis.
Just time at home. Family time.
And I don't regret one second of the extra time I got to spend with Karen.
So, when I hear people longing for "normal," I can agree up to a point.
But there are just some things with the "new normal" that are far better than the old.
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