Here in Ontario, things are starting to look up as it relates to Covid and the pandemic. We just moved into what is known as Phase 3 of our reopening plan, which means that indoor facilities like gyms and restaurants are finally allowed to reopen.
With 69% of eligible Ontarians having received at least one dose of vaccine, and over 50% fully vaccinated, we’re seeing the lowest daily case counts since September of last year. Optimism is beginning to return, and with that, our minds turn to a view of life that looks something a little more like the normal we once knew. Here are 7 things I’m looking forward to in a post-pandemic world.
Travelling the world.
This one has to be first on the list, along with most of the rest of the people in the developed world. Being unable to visit all of the beautiful places in the world for nearly two years has been extremely challenging, and I can’t wait to hop on a plane once it’s safe to do so again and restrictions are eased both at home and at the destination. First stop? Probably Hawaii. Definitely somewhere with white sandy beaches.
Nights out with friends.
We’ve had small group of friends over during the pandemic, but they’ve always been for nights in, not nights out. Pre-pandemic, we used to go out to restaurants and events, and I miss the energy and vibe of being in those situations. I also miss a tasty meal cooked for me by someone else. Keg, I’m comin’ home baby, hang in there!
Hanging with extended family.
I’m blessed with a tight-knit family on both my parents’ sides. However, with lockdown rules being what they’ve been and folks getting a little older, we’ve not been able to get together in the same way we normally would.
I miss the chaos of a Thanksgiving dinner with 20 people in the house. I miss the catch-up conversations, and the lively debates, the games and the food… all of it. I’m so ready to get back to this.
Handshakes and hugs.
I’m still in the habit of reaching out for a handshake most of the time, and I have to catch myself mid-reach. It may sound silly, but I miss that human contact; that moment where you look someone in the eyes and give them a firm handshake as a greeting and gesture of solidarity… so much better than a fist bump.
Game nights with family.
Both my and my wife’s families love board games. We even have a D&D group that we play regularly with my wife’s family, which had to be suspended due to the lockdown (we’re too big a group when we get together).
These board game nights were about more than just the games; they were one of the few times where everyone collectively puts down their phones to focus on quality time with family. I can’t wait to get back to them!
Spontaneously saying “I’m in.”
Because rules around what’s open and what’s not have been so weird, everything has required way more planning than usual. Now admittedly, I’m a planner anyway; I like knowing what’s coming I my calendar.
Sometimes, though, I just want to say “screw it, I’m in” when an opportunity comes up. The trouble with Covid is that there haven’t really been many opportunities to say “I’m in” to. Looking forward to the unexpected day trips and experiences that will happen once we know it’s safe to just say “Hey, let’s do this!”
No more looks of suspicion.
Look, my wife and both suffer from allergies. We sneeze. We’re not criminals for doing so. Yet have you tried sneezing in public? The stink-eye you get from strangers around who just immediately assume you’ve got Covid borders on hilarious.
Now this has always been the case, except people used to assume you had a common cold. Now it’s like, they hold up a cross and garlic like you’re some kind of vampire. Really looking forward to a time when people aren’t constantly going out in fear that they’re going to come into contact with someone who has Covid.
Wrapping it Up
All in all, the vast majority of the things I’m looking forward to most in a post-Covid world are things related to human connection. I think we’re all missing that to some degree right now, and are collectively holding our breath for that moment where it’s ok to just live again.
Have you seen that Extra Gum ad? As a marketer, I’m a huge fan. The fact that that ad has millions of view on YouTube is testament to the way we’re all feeling right now… and I can’t wait to live out the scenario they paint in that commercial.
