Where is the ‘New Normal’ gone?

Over the past couple of years, economists around the world have had their own views on the recovery. One thing on which they tend to agree though is that we will have to be productive. Being productive so far has been associated with spending endless hours at work. Is that really the be-all and end-all? How many times were we done with our work but not willing to take the risk of leaving the office before the boss just because it might not well be perceived?

In some countries, however, leaving the office after 5pm rhymes with poor organisation. So, where does that leave us with regards to the ‘New Normal’ that we’ve all been hearing of since the outbreak of the pandemic. Regretfully, I must admit that things have not changed for many.  

Some lessons need to be taken from the events of the past years. First, we need to get more involved in the education of our kids. Second, we should try to go back to planting some fruits and vegetables in our backyard like our grandparents, and their parents before them, used to; so that if push comes to shove, we will at least have something to put on our plates. My question is how do we combine work, kids, family life, self-sufficiency if we are spending most of our day, and even part of the evening, at work?