Not having to read or hear the words “These Trying Times”/”The New Normal” every single day

We get it. The times are trying. Things are unusual. But we’ve had it up to here with these phrases and we can’t wait for the day when we won’t have to see them everywhere we turn.

Dancing it all out at a concert

Live music, excitement in the air, and your favorite band about to take the stage soon – nothing can make you feel more young and alive. After knowing what it means to social distance, it’s unimaginable having to invade someone’s personal space in the VIP moshpit section again. But we’ll give anything to experience a concert or a gig next year.

Stressing beside your officemates and classmates in person

Part of the reason work-life was bearable was because you had officemates to turn to when projects get a little stressful. You know there’s someone by your side – physically – who is equally as stressed. The same goes for students. It’s comforting to know that your classmate, who didn’t review for the exam either, is just sitting beside you as nervous as you are. Now, all we get are private messages and blurred faces on a screen.

Traveling and the absolute chore that is packing/unpacking your bags

If we had known we would be stuck at home for almost a year, we wouldn’t have complained about packing and unpacking travel bags so much. We’re looking forward to using all those airline and hotel vouchers and refunds. But most of all we’re looking forward to exploring and having adventures outside the four corners of our quarantine homes.

Jam-packed weekends with friends

There was a time when we used to complain about going out with friends on a weekend but the circumstances have changed. Now we’re itching to go out on weekends even though we can’t. We’re definitely looking forward to going on all the bucket list trips we’ve listed during the lockdown.

Going to the movies

Watching Netflix at home is great and all but we miss the experience of watching a film on the big screen. The anticipation when the lights dim, the pre-movie trailers that you consider part of the movie itself, and even our popcorn-stained fingers. Not to mention the fact that nothing feels quite as satisfying as watching the biggest action movie of the year in an IMAX theater.

Getting to hold newborn babies

A lot has happened in eight months and this includes some of your friends and families welcoming newborns into their lives. Newborns you can’t visit or even carry to let them know you’re their greatest tito/tita. It’s physically painful to just wave at babies from six feet away!

Celebrating milestones properly

And by properly we mean hanging out and eating out. E-numans are cool but they’re just not the same. We miss the cozy atmosphere of our favorite restaurants and the ambiance of our favorite bars! Celebrating milestones via virtual meeting is a temporary fix but we can’t wait for the day we’re clinking bottles with our friends in person — sans acrylic barriers.

What are you looking forward to once things get back to normal?