Facing the New Challenges in the New Normal

Farida F. Layug

The language of a 'new normal' is almost being used now a days associated to uncertainties brought about by the pandemic- coronavirus. But how can we live in the new reframing of our lives when everyone was caught unaware? Who could ever thought that the entire world will stop with this microscopic thing and held everyone to “Stay at Home”? The 'new normal' frame encourages a greater understanding that we need to take so much courage and nourish our emotions and psychological well being. We can now also associate new normal to precautionary measure such as face masks, PPEs, social distancing, ECQ, MECQ, GCQ, use of digital technology, on line classes, frontliners, flatten the curve and lay offs, It is alright to accept that things are now different and not normal. It is okay not to feel comfortable and be scared. But we need to be thankful for each day that passes , because of God’s given life. Resiliency is what we need to do now. According to Dyer & McGuinness, resilience describes a process whereby people bounce back from adversity and go on with their lives. It is a dynamic process highly influenced by protective factors. Protective factors are specific competencies that are necessary for the process of resilience to occur. Competencies are those healthy skills and abilities that the individual can access and may occur within the individual or the interpersonal or family environment. It resilient people who survive various adversities, challenges, difficulties and traumas of life.

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The author is Administrative Assistant II at Sto. Niño Elementary School,

City of San Fernando