The coronavirus pandemic indelibly altered our social landscape, but eventually, we will see a ramping up of our ‘normal’ activity.
Yet the new norm may not look like what we remember from even a couple months ago. For many, some of the changes we’ve adopted will be lasting. With this thought in mind, we’ve asked a host of people around our region what positive changes to their lives will they stick with, and why.
Here are some of the responses we’ve received:
Reducing Driving Trips = Reduced emissions, increased savings, and better health
“I’ve learned I really don’t need to make a dozen trips a day for various reasons. With just a little effort, I can get everything done on one trip per week – or at most, once every 3-4 days.”
“With time on my hands, I’ve started walking the three-quarters of a mile to the store instead of driving. If I have a bunch of shopping to do, my kids and I pull a wagon, and each wears a daypack we can load with groceries. We’re saving money on gas and getting exercise.”
Less burning = Reduced emissions, more leisure time, and learning opportunities for kids
“After you asked us to hold off burning, my husband signed us up for curbside pickup with the garbage company. This is SO much easier. Mike misses burning, but I don’t miss the smoke. And I don’t miss the big ugly pile of leaves and branches that sits in the backyard for months at a time until we can burn.”
“Since ORCAA said we shouldn’t burn, we had the kids start a compost pile. And since they are missing school, I had them make it a science project. They had to research the best way – and the fastest way (which may not be the best) – to make compost. They are keeping journals and measuring progress.”
Eating home-made meals saves money and is healthier
“Though this is a tough situation in general, I am loving the fact that our family is saving money and reducing food waste. Who knew it was so much cheaper to make a shrimp pasta dish than it was to buy it in a restaurant – we get four times the food for less than half the price! And we are learning to love leftovers for lunches (and sometimes breakfast!).”
“It used to be so convenient to stop and grab something from a deli for lunch, and they get take-out on the way home for dinner. Now, we cook one night and eat leftovers the next day. We’re saving a ton and eating better!”
“I am shifting the level of how I spend money for me and my daughters. After more than a month of nothing but eating at home, we are appreciating the time we spend cooking together. We are even learning new techniques from online courses. In the future, I think we’ll save up for one good meal out per month instead of a bunch of quick, cheap fast food meals out.”
