Page 49 - June-2021-Voices

What’s Your New Normal?

David Freedman, IP3

of this essay. I often write up essays based on comes next because, frankly, we’re living in scary
my speeches, but there are times I need to take times right now. It’s even okay to be scared of

my own advice. Or perhaps I should look to the reconnecting with people after nearly a year of
late great Douglas Adams in which I copied his isolation. No one expects things to be easy right
advice verbatim into my speech, namely the now. But perhaps most importantly, your new
words: “Don’t panic.” This past year has been normal won’t be the same as everyone else’s new

insanely challenging for all of us. Indeed, it was normal. Taking it slow might well be the best
impossible to ignore the multitude of things way to learn what new pace works best for you.
happening around us: The Black Lives Matter For myself, I don’t want to go back to
movement becoming re-energized after the working in the rat race right away. Instead, I

death of George Floyd; the presidential elections; want to continue working on my writing career
as well as the ongoing socioeconomic effects of and hitting the gym five days a week. Those
the pandemic. And defining our new normal things make up my new normal. And if that
isn’t something that happens overnight. Even for proves more therapeutic than finding a regular

those of us who are now completely vaccinated, 40-hour-a-week job, so be it. By taking charge
normal still feels like it’s a long way away. and defining my new normal, I take back my
Nonetheless, I will still say the words, “Don’t own power. Here’s hoping you can do the same
panic,” and follow up with the clichés, “Be kind for yourselves.

to yourself,” and “Take it slow.” All three of these
phrases are essentially saying the same thing:
Nobody else knows what’s coming, either. By
taking care of yourself, you can eventually learn David Freedman joined Toastmasters in 2013. He

to take care of others. But it’s also okay to put is currently a member of Babble-On and Moser
yourself first when you’re the one who needs Community. He is serving as VP Education and
that health boost, time to meditate, or play Sergeant at Arms for Babble-On.
video games. It’s okay to say I’m scared of what

VOICES! | JUNE 2021 49