The road to "Normal"

The word normal often has a negative connotation to it. It is synonymous with monotony, conformity, of staying put in the comfort zone, of holding oneself back from realizing their true potential. Essentially in a nutshell, normal symbolizes mediocrity. It has bred social media influencers and motivational speakers alike, who vehemently seek to lift people from this dull paradigm. Self help and personal growth are the new buzz words in town, a cure that is being sought now more than ever from the 24/7/365 everyday grind. Normalcy in the traditional sense has driven us to pursue excellence in every sphere of our lives. Social media profiles are amped to the teeth more than superpowers stocking weapons of mass destruction all in an effort to present the best version of our selves and Instagram filters are being applied with surgical precision to make us stand out from the crowd! Age is no longer the determining factor for success as we are witnessing an increasing number of teens rising up to be business tycoons. People in the throes of retirement are living the dream. Diversity inclusion which was unheard in the past is now something we cant seem to live without. The barriers of caste, religion and race all dissolve into nothingness. Social interactions and relationships are bolstered all in the effort to resist what is considered "normal".

Yes, normal was something we seemed to loath with utmost sincerity. Like an organ transplant gone bad.

And then the world was ravaged by an invisible storm, a storm that was brewing, waiting to wreck havoc upon us and it has been from the start. The pandemic has set an unfathomable precedent. All the tragedies aside, this storm has challenged all our fundamental assumptions of what constitutes normalcy. Economic meltdowns tested our frugality and resourcefulness. Workplace overhauls forced us to collaborate remotely. The cessation of social interactions has has prompted us to do a reality check and contemplate within. Nowadays, everyone is apprehensive about answering the doorbell without drenching their hands in sanitizer or entering a lift without double masks on. Hazmat suits have set a new fashion statement and panic buying served as a safety cushion to allay people's fears. At least the days are marked with clear skies, fresh air and water though (that's new).

Now as the second wave is showing positive signs of ebbing and with the dust settling, all of a sudden we seem to crave normalcy. Today we are realizing the positives of the normal. It now takes on a whole new meaning whether it is catching up with friends after a long day's work, happily strolling into a mall, watching a movie, indulging in joy rides on the metro around the city or finding a shoulder to cry on. Families have actually started behaving like families again! Bonds have been rebuilt and new irritations discovered. These days we no longer seem to crave for the extraordinary and the awesome but only wish for things to go back to the way they were. The very enemy we sought to break free from has taken on a fresh face, like a shapeshifter and we cant help but be lured into its grasp, only to realize that the old normal has already faded into the distance, leaving us even more battered and bruised. Sounds like the best revenge ever scripted in history.

It is understandable that we want normalcy to return. No. We need the normal. Why wouldn't we? Life would be turbulent and unbearable otherwise. We would cease to exist should gravity one day decide to take a u turn and the oceans evaporate.

Its human nature to long for familiarity. And normalcy will eventually return, just in a different form. Even when the dust settles, we must grieve for the normal we once knew and loved that has been lost. And pretty soon, we might even find ourselves flabbergasted to walk into a room with not more than three people in it. Only time will tell where this new road of "Normal" will lead us.