Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, our lives have drastically changed, and our reality is no longer what it once was. However, amid this crisis, humanity has been given something precious: more time. In our hectic lives, filled with long working hours, studies, tasks, social gatherings, and responsibilities, time has always been a luxury. Now, with most of us forced to stay home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has severely affected people around the world, we’ve been given time—not necessarily time to travel, attend festivals, or gather with friends and family, but time to think, meditate, and reflect. The question that arises is, should we really return to “normal” after the pandemic?

As the high season in northern Norway was nearing its end, many travelers from around the world were still visiting to experience this magical winter wonderland. For someone like me, working in tourism with 10-hour shifts, time was indeed a luxury. Then, suddenly, it was all over—not because the season ended, but because our lives were radically altered by the Coronavirus pandemic. Borders closed, and a 14-day quarantine was mandated for anyone entering the country. This abrupt change led to the temporary closure of all tourism offices, both here and around the world. Overnight, I went from having almost no time to having all the time in the world.

It’s not uncommon to feel disoriented when your life changes so abruptly. We often rush to return to what we know, to what gives us a sense of security—our comfort zone. But I decided to embrace this opportunity. I finally had the time I had longed for: time to relax, to enjoy a proper breakfast, to savor the beautiful view from my window, to exercise, to cook homemade meals, to watch a good movie, to play board games, to read, to lounge on the sofa with my cat on my lap, to have meaningful conversations with those around me or over the internet. Above all, I had time to think, to wonder, to contemplate, and to reflect.

“Crises and deadlocks when they occur have at least this advantage, that they force us to think.” – Jawaharlal Nehru

One day, I found myself pondering what the world would be like after the pandemic. The question that kept echoing in my mind was: How do we return to normal after the Coronavirus? All the scenarios I imagined seemed complicated, unrealistic, or completely insane. But then I began to consider the possibility that perhaps going back to “normal” isn’t the best idea. Maybe we can use this crisis to our advantage, as a catalyst for positive change. Perhaps we can make good use of the time we’ve been given to reconsider what “normal” really is and use this opportunity to change the way we think, behave, and act in our daily lives.

Crises shape our lives, and in this time of crisis, we can be active participants in shaping our new lives. While there are some circumstances we cannot control, we can always do something to improve our current situation and our future. It’s crucial not to miss the opportunity to change those aspects of our lives that aren’t so “normal” and to learn the lessons hidden within this crisis. We now have the chance to improve our lives and the lives of others.

“In every crisis, doubt or confusion, take the higher path – the path of compassion, courage, understanding and love.” – Amit Ray

We have the time to decide if we really want to return to what we once considered normal. We can choose to change something about our lives, to improve ourselves, to break bad habits and behaviors. This crisis has taught us that to survive and thrive, we must care for one another, regardless of nationality, social status, gender, or age. Now, more than ever, we need to take care of ourselves and others to prevent more unnecessary deaths, to alleviate suffering, and to bring an end to this crisis. This invisible enemy, COVID-19, has shown us that if we don’t stand together as one, no matter where we come from, we will not prevail. This virus has taught us that kindness, respect, compassion, and love among humans are, and always will be, the keys to our success. Divided, we are weak, insignificant, and vulnerable. United, we are strong and powerful.

Let’s use this time to reflect on what is truly worth returning to—like being with family and friends, traveling, enjoying our favorite festivals, movies, sports, and nature with freedom. Let’s also consider what we might want to change—being more compassionate and kind to others and the planet, taking better care of our health and the health of others, appreciating the little things, and being more grateful for what we have. Let’s value our time on earth, knowing that one day we are here, and the next we might not be. Let’s understand the importance of spending time at home with our families, kids, pets, cooking, playing, and loving one another, rather than always rushing after things that don’t really matter.

“The World is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.” – Thomas Paine

The truth is, much of what we called “normal” wasn’t normal at all and has been more destructive to ourselves, other beings, and the planet than the Coronavirus. It’s time to reconsider our actions. Our selfishness, jealousy, negativity, greed, criticism, racism, bad habits, and consumerism have been separating us from each other, slowly destroying animals, the environment, and ourselves. What we do now to change what we once accepted as normal will determine our future, and the lessons learned during this period can help us evolve, uniting us as humans and preparing us for any future crisis.

Let’s use this extra time to our benefit by thinking deeply about which parts of our normal lives are worth returning to and how we want the “new normal” to look. Life as we knew it has changed and will never be the same—so let’s create a brand-new destiny together!