New normal or old normal?

Two weeks ago, I started my first job after graduating from university. For the past year I’d been hearing countless stories of Covid-related problems from friends starting work: from working at a new job for several months before being able to see coworkers in person to a growing list of friends who’ve tested positive for the virus. I had plenty of reasons to be wary of starting work at (what I hope is) the tail end of the pandemic. 

Two weeks into it, I can say I’m very glad to have been able to come into the office in person. Not least of all because the 50 Degrees offices are right next to Waterloo and, as my coworkers and I have discovered on our lunch breaks, it’s a fantastic place to explore with a seemingly endless supply of food stalls, markets, theatres and one conveniently placed Sports Direct which had unfortunately sold out of its England shirts when we visited. More importantly, in terms of safety, there’s been very little to worry about: we’ve managed to socially distance and we’re all either partially or fully vaccinated. 

I’ve found that the main benefit of coming into the office is being much closer to the centre of things. Just being near coworkers makes it easier to feel that you’re part of something and gives you a much better feel for the culture of the company. After two weeks, I feel closer to everyone at 50 Degrees and more settled in than I suspect would have been possible just over Zoom or Microsoft Teams. It’s also been really positive to have some regularity in my life after losing all sense of time during the pandemic. I can now recall which day of the week it is without having to count the number of days since it last occurred to me to check. 

The pandemic has touched everyone. But far from being the ‘great equaliser’ that many assumed at the beginning, Covid-19 has affected us unevenly. Many have suffered heart-wrenching loss and many more have had to work in environments where they face the constant threat of infection. I am fortunate to have been one of those for whom the pandemic has just meant a more restricted life and the sense of days blurring into one. But even those who have been hit comparatively lightly have had their lives upended and lost a lot of what they took for granted. 

There has been a lot of talk about the ‘new normal’ over the past year and a half. I’m grateful after more than a year and a half to have been able to return to something resembling the ‘old’ normal. 

Matt Harris