The New Normal – It’s Not So New and Not Yet Normal
Founder + Partner + CEO
Published Tuesday, June 15, 2020
The New Normal – are you annoyed with the term yet? We are hearing it tossed around everywhere we go (when we can go places). The term is describing our current life as we know it from making changes to adapt to the recent pandemic. As relevant and common as the term is, it’s premature to assume the changes we are making will become norms as historically it takes a major incident for American’s to drastically change.
Our world has seen traumatic and unexpected changes in the past few months. The changes have asked us to live and work differently. People are now wearing face masks, standing behind protective shields, and working remotely. We no longer shake hands, we are cool with sheltering in place, and we no longer go to sporting events and concerts and movies. And the newest of the so-called “normal” – we are shamed for not standing on the “X” when checking out at the grocery store.
Yes, these behaviors are changes deemed necessary because of an awful situation, but are they permanent changes? Will they become “normal” behaviors? The verdict is still out how long they will last. I submit that when people return to work, start spending money, a vaccine is created, and the economy rebounds; the societal changes we have termed as “The New Normal” will quickly fade away.
American’s have experienced the term “The New Normal” many times before. Actually, we have seen it a number of times throughout the course of history. Most recently the term “The New Normal” was heard after World War II, following the events of 9/11, and the housing market crash of 2008. All caused severe changes to our daily behaviors which we then termed “The New Normal.” Some changes stuck while others eventually eroded back to a version of what they were before.
Before, September 11, we walked to the gate to get on an airplane. No one thought twice about doing so until the events of 9/11. Immediately after 9/11, we felt like we were getting strip-searched to hopefully get to your gate on time. Now, security is tight, but we have programs like TSA Precheck where we no longer have to remove belts, shoes, and laptops.
I’m not sure it’s safe to use the term “The New Normal,” until we are sure if the recent changes will stick. I think we will be better served using the terms “The Temporary Normal” or “The Too Be Determined Normal.” Yet still annoying, but more realistic. So, my plea to you, before using the term, “The New Normal” think about it and question if it is “new” and is it yet to become a “norm”.