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The world is waking up after lockdowns to a little different situation, compared to before it went on its forced "Hibernation". Last two articles I touched upon "New normal" situations in business and education sphere. In this last article in this series, let us look into how our personal life has changed over the last three months, possibly with long term implications.

As I said, in the previous article, not every change needs to be attributed totally to the ongoing pandemic. While few aspects accelerated after the pandemic, many other changes were either ongoing or at least few of them are anyway required for our and our mother Earth's well being. What leaders like Greta Thunberg could not accomplish in her hundred speeches, many of us were forced to learn and adopt after being ravaged mercilessly by this virus.

It must also be remembered that information about of many of these "new" awareness, can be found in many ancient scriptures too! May be we have forgotten ancient wisdom in our transformation towards highly materialistic and "I, me and myself" world!!

Now let us go through, what are going to be a few, "New normal" aspects of our personal lives, among most of us.

1. Personal Hygiene: The increased awareness about personal hygiene is going to remain for a long time, if not forever. Among other things, it could be avoiding touching anything or anybody unnecessarily, washing our hands often, taking a bath when you return home after work, keeping ourselves clean, avoiding crowding etc.

2. Being "Alive" is such a beautiful thing ! : This pandemic made us thank God that we are alive ! Unfortunately many of us forget we need to be grateful JUST for being alive. And forget we are mortal, in our rush of daily life towards some material stuff. What is the use of all the stuff we accumulate if we are unhealthy or not alive? We are going to be more thankful to our Creator and Earth after this pandemic

3. Priority towards Healthy food : So, most of us know now, how to live for two months without consuming any junk food, right ?! It is said that anything that is practiced for about 30 days becomes a habit. Then why not continue to consume healthy, and as much possible, homemade food ?

Agreed, once the world reopens, we many not find as much time as have now, but can we avoid consuming unhealthy food which anyway probably brings down your immunity? People are more health conscious than anytime before.

4. Saving habits: Even smallest of creatures such as ants have saving habit! Why not human being, who is supposed to be an evolved creature ?! Hopefully now, we have realized that it would be beyond the capability of our employers or governments to keep paying us, inspite of business loss or income. Can we restart the old habit of saving and investing in right instruments, when there is sun shine?

Our discussions with people indicate that, people are going to restart good old habit of saving for the rainy day ! It does not mean not enjoying life with good things, but creating habit of first keeping aside fixed amount as savings and then enjoying remaining money.

5. How much money is ACTUALLY required to run a family : Most of the families have understood that it is possible to run a family at quite a bit lesser budget than earlier ! What we have done is cut out unnecessary, luxury and impulse purchases! I am not suggesting we must forever or never to indulge in buying what we want but hopefully this pandemic has taught us to prioritize needs over wants. And go back to previous point, "Saving habits".

6. Changing face of Consumerism: This brings us to notice how the psychology of consumers is changing. Most of us happen to be both producers and consumers. Based on your age, lifestyle needs, ego, wealth you have accumulated etc, you may decide the right choice.

For example, you are seeing a branded product. You like it and you can afford it. Please go ahead and buy. But do you need to buy that product just to impress somebody else? Especially when it is not fitting into your current month budget? This is the question. But it is interesting and useful for us to keep watch on how this subject is evolving. I recommend reading this recent article from Philip Kotler, a thought leader in Marketing, on this subject. https://sarasotainstitute.global/the-consumer-in-the-age-of-coronavirus/

7. Realization on how small and insignificant we are : Sad though the havoc this virus has brought on to this world, hopefully now we realized that in the grand scheme of cosmos, we, the human beings are just an insignificant spec of matter. This is NOT philosophy but it science!. If a microscopic virus can bring human race to its knees, then it is time, to respect this earth and universe. Is it not beautiful to live in this world, respecting rights of other animals and nature too ?

People are making lot of decisions now, more than before, keeping in mind the well being of other non human inhabitants on Earth, and about Earth itself. People have realized that when we mess up with life cycles of other animals / plants and either abuse / consume recklessly / eliminate, the sufferer is going to be finally human being. Time for us not to play God !!

8. Working from home : Millions across the world have got used to the culture of working from home. Tech giants such as Google, Twitter and Facebook have made this as permanent or long term feature for many of their employees. While this has got its own advantages and disadvantages at personal, organizational, and social level, look like "Working from home" concept will increase compared to earlier days.

It is good for organizations (savings in space, investment etc) and for an individual (time saved, can pursue his / her passions, savings in fuel bill, restaurant bill etc). But what about construction / interior industry, Ubers / Olas, Restaurants, assorted small suppliers to an organization? A point to ponder but also an opportunity to look beyond what one is doing right now

9. Movie theaters and Malls : Even before COVID 19, many of us were transitioning from going to movie theaters to watching movies at home, on Pay-per-view format. Many factors contributed towards this change including, traffic congestion, high prices per ticket, time spent in conveyance, parking lot charges, convenience etc.

Now most of us, at least in Tier 1 and 2 cities and towns, have subscribed to many of OTT platforms available. Even new movies are being released & streamed online. People will go to theaters only when it is very safe to go and / or when an extraordinary movie gets released.

10. Adoption of technology by all segments : Earlier, certain technology tools (Ex : Online meeting) was perceived to be connected with just software company employees or with top executives of organizations ! Now it is being used with aplomb in every segment of society. Be it with Education, Consultation, Politicians, Doctors, Legal system, adoption of such technology seems to be complete and in many cases irreversible.

This also means these technologies bring world to our home. This opens up lot of possibilities to convert the whole world as our potential customer. As a Business consultant, I may be able to train and consult an organization which may be, for example, in Norway! I had written in earlier article, how even manufacturing organizations can use such technologies to showcase their products and best practices, globally.

11. Rise of Online Purchasing: People have tasted, thanks to these pandemic, benefits of online buying. It is heartening to see that there are efforts by many organizations to add even small sellers, such as our friendly next door grocer to this journey. Even courts are ordering states to consider delivery of Liquor online!!

12. Education of Children: As we saw in my last article, more and more content may go online, for some more time, if not permanently. We have seen some parents who prefer "Home Schooling" for their children. This may rise too. (Remember Thomas Alva Edison!). Colleges and schools may have to increase quality of content, presentation, and all round development of students to get students enrolled into their institutions.

13. Increase in social consciousness: We see a big rise in social consciousness among citizens in every country. We have seen how people have joined together to support the needy, many industries are showing their kindness to their employees at this hour of need (some of them have even given a big increment this year !) etc. The "humane" face of many human beings is being brought out by this pandemic. We have also seen better social discipline, communication among citizens. It is hoped that such good practices remain even in future.

Summing up, the above are a few points which were listed out as examples of what is happening around us. This is certainly not the list of everything that is happening.

If we observe carefully, again, like two faces of a coin, there are many good outcomes arising out of these points, but same situations may create a challenge to different sections of society. While we may go back to certain old habits and practices, some are going to stay with us forever.

So, while we enjoy positive things arising out of above habits, situations and conditions, I feel, it is also our social responsibility to look into various affected parties and give a helping hand to find an alternate profession, job, or possibilities. It is time to share hope. It is to be noted that whenever such socio technological changes happens, it offers big possibilities too.