To be completely transparent, this was going to be a different kind of blog post where I ranted about those who are opting out of wearing a mask. I took a break after writing up a storm, scrolled on Instagram, and I came across this post. Read the caption.
To answer your question. Yes, that is Harry Styles‘ sister.
OK, but really, what is normal? I don’t even remember what normal was like, although it was technically 3(?) months ago. Everyone’s description of normal is different than someone else’s. My normal wasn’t the same for you.
Were things even normal? I’m not sure.
I see people starting to head back to work in the office or going out of their way to do activities in the real world, and yet I find myself nervous about stepping foot in a place that’s not the inside of my house. I still haven’t wrapped my head to the idea that “OK, we’re all going stir crazy. Let’s open up a few places to have people sit in. Oh, but let’s make sure things are 6 feet apart and sanitize everything right after.”
As much as businesses are, I’m sure doing their absolute best they can to make it as safe as possible for people to go outside and live life pre-COVID, it’s just not the same. I don’t know about you, but I’m terrified about going out. I’m scared at the thought of touching something and then sanitizing my hands 5 seconds later because I know I’ll have some weird inkling to scratch my face for some reason.
“I think for me it’s a combination of not wanting all the “normal” back and also the fact that it feels like a false, watered-down version of normal. ”
Gemma Styles
10000% this. This is the false version of normal. I’m not able to hug my friends. I’m able to talk to them, yes, sure. But the physical interaction of sitting next to each other, hugging, or sipping each other’s drinks (because we don’t wanna order it ourselves) won’t be the same for a while.
Another thing about quarantine, this time at home, opened our eyes to the reality that our lives that are “normal” are blindsided by the fucked up “normal” BIPOC live. Do you get what I mean?
I look at it like this. If we weren’t at home…
- Would this not have lit a fire under our ass to face the reality of the fucked up police brutality and oppression Black people and minorities face every day?
- Would the world be actively protesting against police brutality?
- Or, would we know about George Floyd? Breonna Taylor? Ahmaud Arbery? Elijah McClain?
- Would I be going deep into teaching myself, unlearning, and learning, having difficult conversations?
No. No, I truthfully wouldn’t have, and I do hate myself for that.
As we navigate our way back to our “normal,” keep the momentum going of fighting for what’s right. But also remember, our normal from three months ago is no longer relevant now. I’m still grappling with how to go about… everything.
^^^ Wow, who is she? That sounds something straight out of a research article.
Normal, to me, is going back to concerts, but that won’t happen for a long time. Normal to me is going out on the weekends, maybe casually talking to a stranger. Normal is going out to eat at my favorite restaurant without dividers. Normal is going to the Alameda County Fair during the summertime! Normal is driving to the airport every few months to see my parents off or come back. Normal is just seeing my family frequently, in general.
Things won’t be “normal” for a long time.
So can we all just agree that normal is overrated and not a real thing? To quote a great song, “Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?”
OK, not a fantasy, but you get what I mean. Please do me a favor and do away with the saying, “new normal.” Yikes. Nothing from here on out will be normal since we have to adjust and keep readjusting day by day. How is that normal?!?!?!
Alright, now go back and see how many times I used the word normal. Yikes. That’s not normal.
Oh, and lastly if you’re about to go out into your “normal,” I wanted to spell something out for those who need it to be spelled out:
W E A R Y O U R M A S K
