Mornings and me have never been compatible, so I’ve come to take pleasure in waking up at a leisurely time, reading my emails in my pyjamas with two cats snuggled next to me, heading downstairs to make myself some breakfast and slowly setting myself up for the day ahead.
As I lay in bed, I couldn’t help but think just how different this is to my normal Monday morning routine. Ignoring my alarm the first three times it goes off, quickly jumping out of bed and into the shower, throwing on the first clothes I lay my hands on and shoving my laptop into a bag.
Next (and worst of all), squeezing into a space big enough for a 4-year-old on the underground and hoping that no one unintentionally – or intentionally for that matter – touches my bum. I recently discovered that a third of people reported enjoying lockdown, and while I wouldn’t go as far as to say I fall into that category, I am aware my experience has been more positive than most.
The tide will be turned in a matter of weeks, we were promised back in March last year. Nine months on, we find ourselves in yet another lockdown, but I can’t be alone in thinking this one feels slightly different? Slightly more… normal? Perhaps we’ve become accustomed to being disappointed, to not being able to see our friends, hug our grandparents or go on holiday. To put it simply, perhaps we’ve just got used to staying at home? The ‘new normal’ has become terrifyingly comfortable.
Of course many can’t wait to get their lives back, and I certainly don’t wish to downplay the huge emotional and financial impact this pandemic has had. People have lost loved ones, jobs and everything in between and wish for nothing more than for this to be over with. Yet for those who suffer with social anxiety, depression or other mental health issues, the situation is slightly more complicated. As anyone with mental health issues knows, a sense of routine and predictability is essential. Whether we like it or not, staying 2m from everyone other than our household, working from your own bedroom and bars being closed has become all too familiar, making the prospect of returning to normal unnerving.
After all, our brains are hardwired to hate uncertainty. In fact, research has shown that uncertainty actually impacts our stress levels more than when we are certain of negative consequences. In other words, knowing you’re going to fail the exam is more frightening than not knowing whether you will pass or fail. When your brain is unsure what is coming next, it goes into overdrive to keep you safe. And if this year has taught us anything, it’s that we really have no idea what is coming next.
The pandemic has forced us to consider what aspects of normal life we really want to return. As communities have come together, public figures have helped us to feed the vulnerable and we have collectively appreciated our incredible NHS more than ever, many have also felt the pace of their life slow down dramatically. The slog of the 9-5 has largely disappeared, and with less time spent commuting or socialising we have been able to do activities that are good for our mental health, whether that’s going for a walk, meditating or practicing yoga.
With uncertainty over how the future may look in a post-corona era, concerns for safety and a fear of returning to a style of life which now seems so far removed from reality, it’s okay to admit that going back to normal scares you. No, you’re not disregarding the struggles faced by so many over the past year, and of course there are elements of your old life you so desperately want to return, but that doesn’t mean that you’re quite ready to let go of your new and somewhat comforting bubble.
When things begin to open up again, the best advice we can give is simply to take it day by day. A cliche perhaps, but one that might just help you to avoid feelings of dread and overwhelm that a return to normality may bring. Visit restaurants at quieter times, ask your company if you can come into work later to avoid rush hour, meet your friends outside. Rest assured that you’ll get used to normal life again. Who knows, you might just feel more grateful for it than ever before.
