Voice of Real Australia is a regular newsletter from ACM, which has journalists in every state and territory. Sign up here to get it by email, or here to forward it to a friend. Today's was written by Audience Engagement Producer Kayla Osborne.
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After years of lockdowns, cancelled plans and isolation we're finally embracing the 'new normal'.
But why does the new normal feel anything but normal?
There seems to be a strange divide between those who threw their masks into the wind and dived straight back into life with, some would say, reckless abandon when restrictions eased; and those who have barely dipped their toe back into the pool of normalcy.
At my local shops on any given day there's a mix of mask wearers and non-mask wearers, even among staff.
It's a peaceful coexistence, but a stark reminder the pandemic truly isn't over.
I visited the Sydney Royal Easter Show in April and it was bizarre to be among so many people with barely a mask in sight.
I visit the show annually - wood chopping, rides, animals and the Woolies pavilion are a must see for me.
But this year I was nervous, anxious and, if I am being honest, maybe even a little fearful.
I've had COVID and I was lucky enough to have a very mild case but stepping foot into a crowd of hundreds and thousands of people was something I hadn't done in two years.
And I made the mistake of going on one of the show's busiest days over the Easter long weekend.
Why did something I used to do every year give me pause?
Well, I think that's because the new normal comes with some special terms and conditions.
Every time we leave the house now we sign a binding contract acknowledging that any activity we participate in could come with a side of COVID-19.
But it's worth it. Because in exchange for that niggling anxiety or fear, we also get to enjoy life's many pleasures again - like Cheese on a Stick for example.
So while the new normal isn't perfect, it's the only normal we've got - might as well enjoy it!
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