Living with the New Normal: Adjusting to Life in a Post-Lockdown World
By Dylan Rhys
As Arizona businesses, schools, and public spaces reopen under new guidelines, our residents need to find a balance between resuming normal activities and staying safe.
Here’s how the Phoenix region is adjusting to the new normal in different aspects of life.
1. Reimagining Social Life: Staying Connected While Staying Safe
Social gatherings used to be a cornerstone of Phoenix culture, from First Fridays in Roosevelt Row to concerts at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Now, with social distancing measures still in place, people have found new ways to stay connected while prioritizing health and safety.
- Outdoor Meetups: Parks and hiking trails have become go-to social spots, allowing for safer, distanced interactions. Popular trails like Camelback Mountain and Papago Park have seen an increase in foot traffic as people seek fresh air and open space.
- Virtual Hangouts: Zoom happy hours, online trivia nights, and virtual fitness classes have kept people engaged with their friends and communities from home.
- Limited-Capacity Gatherings: Many restaurants and coffee shops have dreopened at reduced capacity, requiring reservations and enforcing mask policies.
New Reality: Social life continues, but in a more mindful and adaptable way—one that prioritized outdoor spaces, smaller gatherings, and digital connections.
2. Working Remotely: The Shift to a Home Office Culture
The workplace changed overnight as thousands of Phoenix residents transitioned from commuting to the office to working remotely from home.
- Zoom & Slack Became the Norm: Video calls and digital workspaces replaced in-person meetings. Companies quickly adapted, relying on remote work tools to maintain productivity.
- Home Offices Got Upgraded: Many professionals invested in ergonomic chairs, standing desks, and high-speed internet to improve their remote work setup.
- Hybrid Work Models Emerged: Businesses began considering long-term remote work policies, with some employers shifting to hybrid schedules that allowed a mix of in-office and work-from-home days.
New Reality: For many, remote work has become a permanent option, offering greater flexibility and a new perspective on work-life balance.
3. The Future of Dining: Adapting to a Changed Restaurant Scene
Phoenix’s vibrant food and drink scene has taken a major hit during lockdowns, but restaurants quickly adapted to meet the changing demands of diners.
- Curbside & Delivery Domination: Contactless pickup and third-party delivery services (like UberEats, Postmates, and DoorDash) became the lifeline for local restaurants.
- Outdoor Dining Expanded: To accommodate safety guidelines, many restaurants transformed parking lots and patios into extended outdoor dining spaces.
- Ghost Kitchens & Meal Kits: Some restaurants shifted to delivery-only concepts or began offering DIY meal kits so customers could recreate signature dishes at home.
New Reality: Dining out is no longer just about food—it’s about innovation, flexibility, and supporting local businesses through new channels.
4. Shopping and Retail: The Rise of Contactless Transactions
Retail shopping in Phoenix has changed drastically, with safety measures leading to new shopping behaviors.
- Curbside Pickup Became Standard: Major retailers like Target, Walmart, and local boutiques offered drive-up services to minimize contact.
- Online Shopping Surged: E-commerce boomed as people shifted from in-store browsing to online orders with home delivery.
- Touch-Free Payment Systems: More stores embraced Apple Pay, Google Pay, and tap-to-pay credit cards to reduce physical contact.
New Reality: Retail businesses have had to rethink how they served customers—digital convenience and safety has become just as important as the products sold.
5. Education: Adapting to Distance Learning & Hybrid Models
Arizona’s school systems and universities have faced one of the biggest challenges: how to educate students safely during a pandemic.
- Virtual Classrooms Became the Default: Schools from elementary to college level have shifted to distance learning, using Zoom, Google Classroom, and other online platforms.
- Parents Became Co-Teachers: With kids learning from home, parents have juggled work responsibilities with assisting in virtual lessons.
- Hybrid Learning Models Took Shape: As restrictions eased, schools experimented with a mix of in-person and online learning to minimize classroom density.
New Reality: Education has become more digital than ever before, requiring new strategies for teachers, students, and parents alike.
6. Travel and Leisure: Exploring Arizona’s Backyard
With international travel restricted and concerns about flying, Arizonans have rediscovered the beauty of our own state.
- Road Trips Became Popular: With uncertainty around air travel, people turned to road trips to explore Sedona, Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, and Lake Powell.
- Staycations on the Rise: Luxury resorts in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley have seen an increase in local travelers looking for a safe yet indulgent escape.
- Outdoor Adventures Flourished: Kayaking in the Salt River, visiting the Desert Botanical Garden, and off-roading in the Sonoran Desert have become popular alternatives to traditional vacations.
New Reality: Travel plans have become more local-focused, with a new appreciation for Arizona’s outdoor destinations.
7. Prioritizing Mental & Physical Health
The stress of living through a pandemic has led to a renewed focus on mental and physical well-being.
- Home Workouts Have Taken Over: With gyms closed or at limited capacity, people have turned to Peloton, YouTube fitness channels, and outdoor exercise to stay active.
- Mental Health Awareness Increased: Therapists have seen a rise in telehealth appointments, and people have begun using meditation apps like Headspace and Calm to manage anxiety.
- Self-Care Has Become Essential: More people prioritize nutrition, sleep, and work-life balance to maintain overall well-being.
New Reality: Health isn’t just about avoiding illness—it is about actively finding ways to stay physically and mentally strong.
Looking Ahead: A Phoenix Community Moving Forward
As 2020 progresses, one thing has become clear: life has changed, and adapting to the new normal requires patience, flexibility, and resilience. While many of the changes felt overwhelming at first, Phoenix residents have found ways to innovate, stay connected, and move forward.
Whether it is embracing remote work, supporting local businesses, spending more time outdoors, or focusing on well-being, Arizonans have proven that even in the face of uncertainty, community and creativity thrives.
As we continue to navigate the challenges ahead, one thing is certain—the spirit of Phoenix is stronger than ever.
The Stay-at-Home Order Has Been Lifted: On May 12, 2020, Governor Ducey announced that the existing stay-at-home order would expire on May 15, allowing gyms and pools to reopen starting May 13. He stated that Arizona was in compliance with the CDC’s Phase One guidelines, permitting businesses to reopen with social distancing measures.
