The pandemic era, while marked by immense tragedy and disruption, also brought profound changes to our daily lives. It forced humanity to pause, recalibrate, and adapt to unprecedented circumstances. As people share their reflections, a striking dichotomy emerges: the collective grief and challenges on one hand, and the slower pace and unique experiences on the other. This blog post explores the aspects of the pandemic that people surprisingly miss, offering a lens into the varied human responses to crisis.
The Silence and Solitude of Lockdown
One of the most common sentiments expressed is nostalgia for the quiet streets and clear skies.
- Empty Roads and Cities: With stay-at-home orders in place, bustling cities became ghost towns. From cruising through empty highways at record speeds to walking through iconic landmarks devoid of crowds, people reminisced about the surreal beauty of urban silence. As one commenter noted, “Flying down the highway I now crawl along for an hour each way.”
- Nature’s Resurgence: Without human interference, wildlife returned to areas they had long abandoned, and the air became noticeably cleaner. Many recalled how blue skies became a norm, even in smog-heavy cities. “The lack of smog gave us a glimpse of the mountains, skylines, and countryside vistas,” one user reflected.
A Slower Pace of Life
For many, the pandemic represented a rare opportunity to step off the treadmill of modern life.
- Time to Reconnect: Families spent more time together, strengthening bonds and creating cherished memories. Parents spoke fondly of the chance to be present for their children’s milestones. “Lockdown made us feel like people again. We could just casually be alive,” one commenter shared.
- Freedom from Social Obligations: For introverts and those exhausted by constant social pressures, the pandemic brought a welcome reprieve. Excuses like “Sorry, can’t risk it!” allowed people to set boundaries without guilt. Another commenter summed it up perfectly: “It was the golden age of guilt-free laziness.”
Working from Home and New Flexibilities
Remote work became a defining feature of the pandemic for many.
- Eliminating Commutes: The shift to working from home was a revelation, offering more time for sleep, hobbies, and family. One user remarked, “No commute meant more time to enjoy life.”
- Work-Life Balance: Many found they could be just as productive, if not more so, while enjoying a more flexible schedule. However, the return-to-office mandates have left many yearning for those days. “It’s so damned stupid,” lamented a user forced back into unnecessary in-office meetings.
Personal Space and Hygiene Standards
The pandemic brought new norms in personal space and cleanliness that many appreciated.
- Social Distancing: The six-foot rule became a cherished buffer for those who value their personal space. As one person joked, “Why are you breathing down my neck in the self-checkout line? Back up!”
- Cleaner Environments: From sanitized grocery carts to a general emphasis on hygiene, many miss the heightened cleanliness standards. One user noted, “Clean supermarket baskets. The moment it was no longer mandated, everything went back to being filthy.”
Community and Shared Humanity
Despite the isolation, there was a sense of togetherness during the pandemic’s early days.
- Collective Efforts: From banging pots to thank healthcare workers to neighbors coming together for driveway parties, the pandemic saw moments of solidarity. One user fondly remembered, “It just seemed slower, and people wanted to put the bullshit aside and help one another.”
- Creative Connections: Virtual happy hours, Zoom trivia nights, and drive-by celebrations became the new normal, sparking joy and connection in innovative ways. “The world suddenly felt much smaller, and we were all sharing the same experience,” one commenter noted.
A Time for Reflection
The enforced pause gave many the chance to introspect and reevaluate their lives.
- Personal Growth: People took up new hobbies, focused on their health, or simply found time to rest. As one user expressed, “The free time gave me so much space to improve my mental pathways.”
- Gratitude for the Simple Things: Whether it was watching birds in a quiet park or baking sourdough bread, the pandemic highlighted the beauty in simplicity. “Appreciation of the simpler things” became a common refrain.
The Bitter Reality for Many
It’s crucial to acknowledge that for many, the pandemic was a time of immense hardship.
- Frontline Workers: Healthcare and essential workers faced grueling conditions, often without adequate support. As one nurse lamented, “The emotional turmoil, lack of sleep, and smell of death were awful.”
- Loss and Grief: Many lost loved ones and faced isolation in their mourning. “I miss my dead family members,” one comment starkly read, reflecting the deep scars left by the pandemic.
Conclusion: A Complex Legacy
The pandemic was a time of contradictions: peace and chaos, connection and isolation, growth and loss. While many aspects of that period are not worth revisiting, it’s clear that it offered lessons and moments of clarity that resonate deeply.
As we navigate the post-pandemic world, perhaps the challenge is to retain the best parts of that time—slower living, greater compassion, and respect for personal space—while addressing the systemic issues that the crisis exposed. What do you miss, if anything, about the pandemic? Share your reflections below.