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New Habits from COVID-19 and the New Normal

Posted by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250, Apr 13, 2020

We are all looking forward to the future and going back to the former way of life that we enjoyed pre-COVID-19. But I've been reflecting on some of the adaptations in my behavior and attitude that I've been forced to make that I'd actually like to keep when the restrictions are lifted. For example, I intend to continue to wash my hands more diligently and likely more frequently as I've been doing these past weeks. I'd also like to retain the slower pace for as long as I'm able. It's a pleasure to not be rushing around so much. When the busy-ness of life returns, I hope I can continue to insert slow into my day, at least for part of it. I'm planning on appreciating the medical community more (who have made so many sacrifices during this time) rather than criticizing them for what I perceive are their inadequacies.

Is there something you have learned during this time (perhaps a new habit or attitude that you've adopted) that you hope to keep doing after the COVID restrictions are lifted?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

mayofeb2020 | @mayofeb2020 | Apr 14, 2020

I was born and raised in Southeast Asia a long time ago 🤣 If I can remember, we don't do alot of hand shaking, certainly not hugs. It's not that we are unfriendly, I think it's just a respect for the other person's space. We do a slight bow of our heads. Some do a deeper bow to elders and people of authority. When I was still in school, we all stood up and gave our teachers a deep bow from our waists when the teacher entered the classroom. I have lived in this country for many decades and got used to handshakes and hugs. I will still hug my family when this is over, but have to think again for my friends. I may have to explain my reluctance. I'm sure they will understand as we are all in the same boat.

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3 replies
zep | @zep | Apr 14, 2020

My husband and I, long before this virus arrived on the scene, invented what we call the "Low Five". It's like a high five, except you do it with the bottoms of your two right (or left) feet. It requires a bit of balance, but not that much. We're old-timers and can manage it. It's silly and fun, and hard not to laugh when you're doing a Low Five.

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 14, 2020
In reply to @mayofeb2020 "I was born and raised in Southeast Asia a long time ago 🤣 If I can..." + (show)
@mayofeb2020

I was born and raised in Southeast Asia a long time ago 🤣 If I can remember, we don't do alot of hand shaking, certainly not hugs. It's not that we are unfriendly, I think it's just a respect for the other person's space. We do a slight bow of our heads. Some do a deeper bow to elders and people of authority. When I was still in school, we all stood up and gave our teachers a deep bow from our waists when the teacher entered the classroom. I have lived in this country for many decades and got used to handshakes and hugs. I will still hug my family when this is over, but have to think again for my friends. I may have to explain my reluctance. I'm sure they will understand as we are all in the same boat.

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I appreciate you sharing what your culture does as an acknowledgment of others (in place of the handshake), @mayofeb2020. It is a good example of recognizing others and is a rather nice picture of valuing someone's presence. I like it!

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 14, 2020
In reply to @zep "My husband and I, long before this virus arrived on the scene, invented what we call..." + (show)
@zep

My husband and I, long before this virus arrived on the scene, invented what we call the "Low Five". It's like a high five, except you do it with the bottoms of your two right (or left) feet. It requires a bit of balance, but not that much. We're old-timers and can manage it. It's silly and fun, and hard not to laugh when you're doing a Low Five.

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I do have to smile when I think about the "low five" @zep. Thank you for your contribution to this discussion!

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lioness | @lioness | Apr 14, 2020
In reply to @mayofeb2020 "I was born and raised in Southeast Asia a long time ago 🤣 If I can..." + (show)
@mayofeb2020

I was born and raised in Southeast Asia a long time ago 🤣 If I can remember, we don't do alot of hand shaking, certainly not hugs. It's not that we are unfriendly, I think it's just a respect for the other person's space. We do a slight bow of our heads. Some do a deeper bow to elders and people of authority. When I was still in school, we all stood up and gave our teachers a deep bow from our waists when the teacher entered the classroom. I have lived in this country for many decades and got used to handshakes and hugs. I will still hug my family when this is over, but have to think again for my friends. I may have to explain my reluctance. I'm sure they will understand as we are all in the same boat.

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@mayofeb2020 I like your idea of bowing . I was born here but I do the Namaste hands with tilt of head . I think this is showing respect . to others .

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fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Apr 14, 2020
In reply to @mayofeb2020 "I was born and raised in Southeast Asia a long time ago 🤣 If I can..." + (show)
@mayofeb2020

I was born and raised in Southeast Asia a long time ago 🤣 If I can remember, we don't do alot of hand shaking, certainly not hugs. It's not that we are unfriendly, I think it's just a respect for the other person's space. We do a slight bow of our heads. Some do a deeper bow to elders and people of authority. When I was still in school, we all stood up and gave our teachers a deep bow from our waists when the teacher entered the classroom. I have lived in this country for many decades and got used to handshakes and hugs. I will still hug my family when this is over, but have to think again for my friends. I may have to explain my reluctance. I'm sure they will understand as we are all in the same boat.

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@mayofeb. Thank you for sharing your greeting experiences while growing up in Southeast Asia. I really like the idea of the "slight bow of heads" as a sign of respect for another's space while still acknowledging and greeting one another. Nice to learn of others' customs.

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migizii | @migizii | Apr 14, 2020
In reply to @zep "Hi Terri - I too have a noncompliant spouse, but only one house! He continues to..." + (show)
@zep

Hi Terri - I too have a noncompliant spouse, but only one house! He continues to work sporadically though he should be retired, and we can do without the money; it's not worth getting sick or dying over. He is an electrician and considers himself essential. To folks whose AC or freezer has gone out because of an electrical problem, he IS essential, and I understand that, but I think every other kind of job should go by the wayside. Consequently, I am a wreck, trapped here, waiting for the virus to strike him, and then me. I do go out very infrequently when I can't avoid it, to get food, and of course, masked up, and distant. I would move to my small outdoor art studio, but it has neither bathroom nor kitchen, plus I want to continue to cook, etc, for him. To think that we might both croak because of his stubbornness is a hard pill to swallow. (just a thought - you might want to consider putting off painting and spraying for bugs, in consideration of maintaining optimum lung heath...) I'm happy for you that you can separate yourself from the stress, that's great.

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Ditto here, although my husband has gotten a bit better about taking his work clothes off outside and washing his hands when he gets home......but it is very stressful......just have to keep cleaning and disinfecting, not my forte....I also have two millennials living in our downstairs area who are only somewhat compliant.....seriously folks, they watch me do lung treatments with a smart vest twice a day! I try to exercise twice a day to get tired enough for good sleep at night so I stay calm....we are presently fortunate to have few cases in our small community but we also don’t have the resources here if a significant outbreak occurs

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Parus | @parus | Apr 14, 2020
In reply to @hopeful33250 "When you say, "Always be kind." You are making a statement that speaks louder than words,..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

When you say, "Always be kind." You are making a statement that speaks louder than words, @fiesty76! I've heard it said,

"It is more important to be kind than to be right."

What if we practiced that philosophy?

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@hopeful33250 So true. "It is more important to be kind than right".

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fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Apr 15, 2020

Oh, @parus, I really, really like this quote! "It is more important to be kind than right". Need to write it down somewhere to remember. Thank You.

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