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The Before Times: How Embracing Change Can Be a Good Thing
From dining out to making healthier choices, things have become different since the pandemic. But embracing change? That’s a whole new story.
To say that things have changed is the understatement of the century.
These days, people use the term “the before times” for when things were as we used to know. After all, 2019 really seemed like a thing in the past—despite it being merely over a year ago. And yet here we are, still under some “Q”—GCQ, as of this writing—in the heat of summer in 2021.
Change can be a good thing, of course—liberating, even, depending on how you see things. But as I like to say these days, it’s all a matter of perspective.
Of Taking it Slow and Easy
I know I’ve changed in several ways. For one thing, I’ve joined the multitudes who’ve become a bit more introspective. A little less machine-gunning opinions, a bit more of stepping back and thinking first—taking care to weigh out consequences.
There’s certainly a lot more of “not giving a care” and letting go. This includes discerning if something is meant to be left behind because it’ll lighten the load. Definitely, this also means a lot of giving way, slowing down, and enjoying moments that I’d normally take for granted.
And yes, people I’ve conversed with—young and old—will agree. Why take a sports car and zip through everything when you can walk and enjoy the scenery? Why not take a minute and notice—say, on your media feeds—how people seem to be enjoying the beauty of nature more? Take for example the serenity of being by the water, the colors of a brilliant sunset, and the majesty of mountains. They’re amazing and really, that’s a good thing to notice!
Changes in the Food Scene
In the food scene, I think that the improvements in hygiene practices are one of the best things to come out of this. Since cleanliness is very important, the food business is working extra hard to ensure that their spaces are spotless. That way, your experience in their restaurant feels safe and pleasant. And I’m pretty sure we’re all in need of this security. Dining out is, after all, one of the closest things to “normal” that we can achieve.
Also, who would’ve thought that dining al fresco would become a thing? Nowadays, you’re at an advantage if you have space for it or if you’ve built your restaurant with that in mind. Sure, we live in a tropical country, but if you’re located in a breezy area, that’s a good thing!
There also changes in how establishments use their space. Streets are being closed off to accommodate diners, for instance. Common areas are now being shared by several establishments. And if restaurants have space outdoors, they can use it fully. When all these nice touches fall into place—like good ventilation, excellent ambiance, and a scenic view—dining out becomes such a joy.
Additionally, I’m hoping that when the coast is clear, these spaces can also accommodate musicians—a community that deserves the spotlight, too. Music, after all, adds a great vibe to any space… and a touch of calm too!
The Art of Eating Well
Personally, I’ve even seen people around me (as well as myself) take to better food choices. Sure, there is room for indulgences—that’s what weekends, holidays, and special occasions are for (or even occasions when you think you need it). But on a day-to-day basis, it’s always good to choose freshly cooked and healthy food—the nutritious and good stuff.
Why? Eating well is how we can take care of ourselves, physically and mentally. And as we face today’s challenges amid the ongoing pandemic, that’s always a plus. What more, enjoying good food is a bonus in itself, too.
Even the act of eating out has been given a bit more gravitas, in a way. I know it has for me. I rarely go anywhere, so stepping out is quite an event. Heck, putting on a long-sleeved shirt and a pair of shoes feels like I’m going somewhere formal!
Life as We Know it
I have truly missed sitting in a restaurant. I miss watching people and enjoying the conversation of my companions. But even more so, I miss eating a meal as it was meant to be—freshly cooked, at the proper temperature, plated and ready to be savored. That is something the couriered meal cannot replicate, no matter how hard they try.
While these deliveries are the prudent thing to do, given our current circumstances, it’s different from the restaurant experience. And when you do dine out, you’ll see and feel how good it is to be out again.
I miss a lot of things, as I’m sure you do, too. But while I’d like to believe that one day—hopefully sooner than later—we can reunite with whatever it is we miss, now is also a time to reassess and embrace the changes coming our way. After all, this moment has given us a chance to reflect and imagine how we can change for the better.
We live in a world that broke a big rule. That is, to build a good future, we must never forget our past and the lessons we learned from it. In the future, we may look back at this as a dark time in our lives, but do remember the good in it, too. It will soon be a past when we learned to cherish the little things and the time spent with loved ones. When we learned to appreciate going outdoors—even for a short time. When times were simple, when we savored life more, and when we rested.
Overall, change is inevitable at some point—but it need not be a bad thing. Because change may actually pave the way for opportunities, growth, and more possibilities.
Photos from Unsplash.com
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