Is This the New Normal?

As COVID–19 restrictions slowly unwind, I realise just how much I have enjoyed the slower pace of life.

With the boys back from University, this is the longest time we have been together as a family in a couple of years. There is no rush to do shopping, the roads are less congested, and MasterChef has inspired all of us to go into the kitchen.

Many of the usual pressures of conformity and city life have been put on hold, replaced by other, more meaningful concerns. Of course, the health of our nearest and dearest is always close to mind, but one cannot help but be forced to contemplate the path from here.

This panic has whacked our economy.

No doubt the release valve of spending will emerge when we open up again, but I suspect it will be a short-lived splurge.

One thing this Virus has demonstrated is how fragile our social and economic fabric really is. If others come to this conclusion too, then the ’new normal’ will be a time to strengthen the most important things in your life rather than pursue the ephemeral.

It sounds trite, but health, wealth and happiness are crucial to living a truly abundant life. Strengthening these areas of our lives will ensure we are better equipped to deal with future disruption and chaos.

I was listening to a podcast recently in which a very successful investor said he spent most of his energy strengthening his relationships.

He pointed out that most people have a ’block’ that is obvious to others but invisible to themselves. Friends and family often discuss that block but rarely raise it with the individual because they fear causing offence.

He chooses a different path. When a block becomes evident to him, he would raise it with his friend (and no one else) in a non-threatening manner and motivated by their own interest.

He went on to say that these positive relationships had been his best-ever investment.

Upon reflection, I realise my closest friends do exactly that with me. They aren’t motivated by anything else but my long-term well-being.

That’s why they are lifelong friends and are the people you turn to during good times and bad.

Anyway, recent weeks have made me think we need to be optimistic about the future but prepared for the worst.

Being prepared means having the strongest personal relationships, robust good health and bulletproof financial security. The rest is really window dressing and can be taken away at the stroke of a government pen.

Building these three pillars of life will be the new normal for many. If that’s the case, then something good may have come out of this whole experience.