Ever noticed how the world feels a bit… rougher? Like everyone’s suddenly playing by their own rules, and politeness is just a distant memory? It’s not your imagination. Something shifted after 2016, supercharged by COVID, and now we’re living in a world where “good manners” seem like a quaint relic from a bygone era. But here’s the kicker: while some of us are just trying to keep it together, others have fully embraced the chaos. Let’s unpack this mess—because trust me, you’re not alone in feeling like we’ve all collectively lost our minds.
If you think back to pre-2020, you might remember a time when people actually used turn signals. When “excuse me” wasn’t a foreign concept. When public figures didn’t think it was cool to act like petulant toddlers on national TV. Fast-forward to now, and it’s like we’ve all collectively decided that civility is optional. Not because we’re inherently bad people, but because somewhere along the line, the bar got lowered, and we all followed.
And let’s be real: the drivers these days? They’re like rogue agents in a world that still operates on some semblance of rules. Forget lane discipline—now it’s every man for himself, with a side of “who needs turn signals anyway?” It’s not even aggressive driving; it’s the passive-aggressive “I don’t care” driving that makes you wonder if we’ve all just given up.
Why Did Politeness Suddenly Go on Vacation?
It’s not just you noticing that the world feels more chaotic. There’s actually a pattern here—one that started way before COVID but got turbocharged by it. Think about it: when powerful people in the public eye started behaving like they had no filter, no accountability, and no consequences, the rest of us kind of… followed suit. It’s like we collectively decided, “If they can do it, why can’t we?” And suddenly, being a decent human being felt like an outdated trend.
But here’s the twist: while some people embraced the “new normal” of rudeness, others quietly kept their values intact. The good news? You don’t have to let the world’s chaos drag you down. You can still choose to be kind, even when it feels like everyone else has checked out. In fact, leading by example might be the only way we ever get back to… well, normal.
The Vanishing Act of Time (And Why 2020 Still Feels Like Yesterday)
Remember when 2020 hit, and suddenly everything went into a blender? Fast-forward a few years, and you might still feel like you’re living in a time warp. It’s not just nostalgia—science actually backs this up. Without routine, without those big life milestones to anchor our memories, our brains got confused. 2019 became the last “normal” year, and everything after? Just a blur.
I recently saw a photo from late 2019, and it felt like looking at strangers. Those poor idiots had no idea what was coming! But here’s the funny part: even though time feels distorted, some things are crystal clear. Like how we’ve collectively decided that “basic human decency” is optional.
The Great Divide: Community vs. “Every Person for Themselves”
One of the weirdest side effects of the pandemic? The way it tested our trust in each other. For some, it solidified a sense of community—those who leaned into supporting neighbors, checking on friends, and holding onto values. For others? It was a wake-up call that the world is, indeed, a selfish place.
But here’s the thing: while some people lost faith in humanity, others doubled down on kindness. It’s like we’ve split into two groups—the ones who say, “Screw it, I’m doing what I want,” and the ones who say, “Wait, let’s remember how to be human.” And guess what? The latter group is still making a difference, even if it feels like a drop in the ocean.
The Silent Suffering: Healthcare Workers and the Pandemic’s Toll
While the rest of us were grappling with Zoom fatigue and pandemic boredom, healthcare workers were living through something else entirely. For those on the front lines, COVID wasn’t a blur—it was a relentless nightmare. The lack of support, the sheer trauma, and the way the world just… moved on? It’s left scars that no one talks about.
My wife is a nurse, and the PTSD she carries is real. So when people complain about “losing respect for humanity,” remember: some of us actually did the right thing, and paid dearly for it. The least we can do? Hug our loved ones a little tighter and acknowledge that not everyone got to take a vacation during the pandemic.
The Little Things We Miss (And Why They Matter)
From the joy of spontaneous meetups to the simple pleasure of a crowded coffee shop, some things just haven’t come back. The “overland” camping scene exploded during lockdowns, but now those secret spots are littered with trash. The casual friendships that used to fill our days? Gone. Even our sense of smell, for some, never fully recovered.
But here’s the silver lining: while we lost some things, we gained others. Like the quiet confidence to stay home when we need to, or the realization that not every social interaction needs to be a production. Maybe the new normal isn’t so bad after all—if we can just remember how to be decent to each other.
The Only Way Forward: Leading by Example
So what now? We’re living in a world that’s still figuring itself out. Some people are doubling down on bad behavior, while others are quietly rebuilding the bridges of kindness. The choice is yours: do you let the chaos win, or do you keep fighting for the values that matter?
Because here’s the truth: the world needs more people who choose to be kind, even when it’s not cool. It needs more of us who remember that “politeness” isn’t a weakness—it’s a superpower. And while we might never get back the exact world we had before, we can build something better. One kind act at a time.