"When things get back to normal..."
These words are probably one of the most common phrases that you will hear during the coronavirus pandemic.
Even after months of the pandemic, a lot of people are still looking forward to getting back to normal.
According to experts, in reality, going back to normal will take a lot of time. Dr. Anthony Fauci, a disease expert, says that getting back to normal will not happen until late 2021 if the vaccine for the virus will be distributed in September next year.
The coronavirus pandemic has indeed changed a lot of the practices of every person around the world. Because of this, experts believe that "normal" may look different from what normal looked like before the pandemic.
That is why experts suggested ways on how to deal with the new normal:
Realistic optimism
According to a psychologist from North Carolina, Ryan Kelly, people would need realistic optimism.
Kelly points out that we should be ready to overcome any kind of adversity, and at the same time progressive to change.
He emphasizes that there could be a problem if people will cling to the idea and keep on saying, "When things get back to normal..." What should be done is to learn how to be adaptive to what is happening around us. He said, "A post-COVID world should be "remarkably different," he said, "meaning some things may not feel 'normal' or 'comfortable.' But we will adapt to that, too, and be stronger for it."
Mentally prepare
Just like having realistic optimism, being prepared for what is about to happen should also be part of the ways on how to deal with the new normal.
According to a therapist, Elisabeth LaMotte, being prepared makes us "pleasantly surprised" when there are developments about the pandemic.
LaMotte shared with HuffPost, "This pandemic and its restrictions are nothing like being held captive as a war prisoner, but it is optimal to prepare for the long haul."
Look at the more technical aspect
According to a psychotherapist from North Carolina, Elizabeth McCorvey, instead of clinging to saying, "When things get back to normal..." she focuses on the technical aspect of "normalcy."
She instead says, "When things open back up..." so that she could focus on the technical aspects of what is missing in her life.
McCorvey emphasizes that people need to focus on what is specifically missing, rather than the broader things. She said, "Sometimes when your goals are more precise, there will be actionable things you can do to get closer to them."
