Covid-19 changed so much in the lives of individuals and society as a whole.
People dealt with the pandemic, the confinement, the quarantine, and the cultural shifts in just about every way possible. Many used it as a time to reevaluate their lives, and some struggled with increased anxiety and depression. Most people don’t fall neatly into one category or the other, and it’s likely your experience was a mix of many emotions and circumstances.
However you fared over the past two years (and counting), you’ve undoubtedly experienced a shift. Perhaps you’ve had a reckoning about your personal values, gotten clearer about your life goals, or even dealt with the loss of a loved one.
Changes that may be here to stay:
People leveraged full-time remote positions, which experts predict isn’t going anywhere. Companies such as Walmart, Starbucks, and Bank of America increased their starting wages in an effort to slow employee turnover and improve retention. The Great Resignation has been making headlines for so long it is now being perceived as a positive thing.
Pre-Covid, it’s possible the only aerosol droplets you’d ever considered were those that came out of a can of hairspray. Now, the average person knows a lot more about how airborne diseases spread. Washing hands and following courteous sneezing and coughing etiquette are here to stay.
The pandemic made many individuals get realistic about their budget, or lack thereof. If you got better at budgeting during Covid, don’t reconsider! It takes much less than a global pandemic to warrant having an emergency fund.
The not-so-easy parts:
Some people experience re-entry anxiety. While you definitely don’t have to do everything you did pre-Covid, there are things that are unavoidable parts of everyday life. This NHS guide to coping with re-entry anxiety is as soothing as the Great British Baking Show. It advises journaling, going at your own pace, and prioritizing rest.
Take a look at the big picture of your life by asking yourself, “What truly makes me happy?” Don’t be surprised if your answer is vastly different than it would’ve been a few years ago. Not only have you grown over the past few years, but you’ve also had a chance to re-examine your life. If the You of 2019 loved crowded concert venues and loud live music, but the You of 2022 prefers going on walks and listening to audiobooks, that’s okay. It’s not a bad thing if you can’t pick up right where you left off, or don’t want to.
Travel:
High gas prices may put a damper on a road trip. Airline tickets don’t tend to instantly fluctuate the way filling up a car does, and there are many reasons why. Some airlines, such as Southwest engage in fuel hedging, locking in fuel prices for months at a time to stabilize fares. Still, experts expect airline prices to climb later this year, so if you’re thinking of taking a trip, you may opt to buy your plane tickets sooner rather than later to get the best deal.
If you’re traveling internationally, at present, you must have a negative Covid test no more than one day before reentering the United States. CNN Travel provides up-to-date Covid information about traveling to a variety of destinations.
As of April 18, 2022, masks are not required on many US airlines. This announcement arrived mid-flight for some passengers. Some people rejoiced and ripped off their masks, while other immunocompromised passengers or those traveling with small children were outraged that a rule could change instantaneously, giving them no time to reassess their safety. It appears that this change will stay in effect, at least for now.