As a couples counselor in Broomfield, Colorado I am beginning to hear a lot of couples say that they're finally starting to find a new normal with all this covid-19 stuff. They're starting to feel more comfortable with working at home. They're seeing their kids start to get more comfortable being away from school and sports. And they're starting to find more things to do that doesn't require going to a store. But just because you're starting to get more comfortable with all the Covid-19 stuff, doesn't mean that that the things you're finding to be comfortable are actually good for you. That new normal that you're starting to feel, doesn't mean it's a good normal. 

For example, you've probably heard people talk about the additional covid-19 pounds they've gained during quarantine. It makes sense, right? You've been home more which means you're more sedentary and doing a lot more boredom eating. If you're like most people, you experienced a funk when you couldn't go out with friends anymore when covid-19 first started. Now that some of the restrictions have lifted, you're finding that even just being around a few friends are nice . But do you really want the boredom eating, and being around just a few friends to be your new normal? 

Finding Your New Normal in Covid-19

Of course you don't. And yo don't plan on it, either. You can't wait to get back to parties with friends and out on a whim just to get ice cream. But let me fill you in on a little secret. Covid-19 isn't going to go away for a while. So many industries are going to change as a result of this. Right now there are a lot of people in high position who are watching to see if their employees like working from home so they can cut back on office costs - which means working from home (or some variation of it) may be a permanent thing. Curbside pickup is going to be here to stay for a lot of stores and lots of places (like restaurants and gyms) are going to be limiting their in-person services and offering more convenient at-home/delivery models. 

It's easy to look back and lament the end of the way things used to be. Change is hard. But a lot of good things can come out of it, too. For example, restaurant owners can grow their businesses beyond just offering meals in their dining rooms. They can add take out and other delivery options to expand their businesses. So don't just look at trying to get back to normal. Look ahead to finding a new normal.

This is the perfect time to make some of those changes you've wanted to make. For example, if you've been working from home and finding that you're just as productive as when you go in to the office, why not work from a new home that also has a gorgeous view of mountains or a lake? Think of all the possibilities if you don't have to worry about a commute. And since you can only get together with a few friends anyway, why not make the best of it and try to make deeper relationship with just the few friends you can have over? It's way easier to have deeper conversations when there are fewer people at your barbecue. 

With Covid-19 affecting individuals and couples here in Broomfield, Colorado and the rest of the state, try to look ahead and deliberately make a new normal for yourself. Covid-19 is going to end eventually. But you want to make sure you haven't developed any bad habits along the way. And most importantly, we want to make sure that you've come out the end better than when you were when it all started.

About the Author

Aaron Anderson is a marriage counselor and Director of The Marriage and Family Clinic in Denver, CO. He is a writer, speaker and relationship expert. He specializes in helping couples overcome stale relationships, sexual difficulties and infidelity. In his spare time (whatever that is) you’ll catch him in his garage restoring his hot rod.