The Abnormal or Addiction that has become Normal

Until recently, people who lived connected all day, who could not stay posting or commenting on social networks, or who were anxious because they were left without access to cell phones or the internet network were considered addicted to technologies and treated by therapists. They could even be interned to get rid of technological dependence.

In a few months the concept of technology dependence became a vital necessity for physical and mental survival. But, how did the Internet, social networks and audiovisual communications transform from villains to heroes in such a few months?

Necessity and survival are the answers. Until recently, anyone who posted everything was considered dependent on technology, was considered a person who exposed their private lives to excesses on the networks. However, with the pandemic, the need for social isolation and the need for survival, all communications with the outside world began to be carried out through the internet and social networks.

Relationships with family, friends, work relationships, market purchases, pharmacy purchases, happy hours, religious services, banking, consultations with doctors and everything is happening through the Internet nowadays.

Even those less adept at technologies were forced to surrender to the internet network and to download applications from banks, markets, pharmacies, online meetings, and start tinkering with tools that were not essential and were not part of their lives before.

Many people had to overcome their fear of using technology, of exposing themselves to the network and having their data stolen. Others had to invest in cell phones, notebooks and better internet plans for work and study at home or communicate better with others.

What was abnormal became normal? I believe so, but we can also think that what was abnormal has become essential and vital, and soon, it will become normal. We are in transition. It was very evident to me that these changes came to stay in the routine of my life and in the others routine.

With the pandemic I started shopping on the online market and I no longer face lines or traffic jams, and I can schedule the day and time of delivery. The online market and shopping in pharmacies definitely left the essential to normal phase in my life, I do not intend to return to the market after the pandemic.

In the same way that I was able to make online market purchases and have already incorporated as a habit for my routine, I believe that after the pandemic, people will use technology much more in their daily activities as a routine. I believe that if people were afraid to use the bank’s application and were forced to use it in quarantine, after that, they will only return to bank branches when it is really necessary. Tickets for cinemas, theaters, tourist spots and the travel tickets that we are now forced to buy online, after the pandemic, people will look for this form of purchase as an option. I think that people will avoid using physical money and will use more card or pix.

If someone told me earlier this year that I would live almost all day with my smartphone in my hands and solve many things in my personal life over the network, including medical appointments, I would not believe it!