In a most trying time, the global community has faced a pandemic unlike anything in the past 100 years. As we are certain our readers are aware, the dangers of this novel coronavirus, ‘covid-19’, can not be understated. With hopes or reducing the new incidences of illness in people across the world, governments have taken steps to isolate germs and people, effectively placing most of the modern world on quarantine- and we are often left with minimal work or no job at all- which means we all get to stay at home for days- weeks- months on end.
Just the other day, we were watching CBS2 News out of New York, where a conversation was sprung about competing with food scarcity and the need for the community to feel some sense of control in these unique circumstances. Victory Gardens, a concept from back in the days of World War 2, was a fantastic intervention suggested by the news station. A victory garden is a formal term (rebranded with a new name) that describes a garden that families and individuals plant for sustainability. Instead of depending on hte mainstream marketplace for produce, these victory gardens allow households to grow their own food, effectively releasing the burden that markets have right now to meet excessive demand.
This got us thinking; even though covid-19 is no small situation and we recognize the dangers it poses, what about this quarantine period could be positive? What about this shared experience can bring back a better version of normal? What if this ‘new normal’ that will emerge after the virus is really just a resurgence of good habits from yesteryear? What does this mean for a legitimate retro revival?
It’s a highly silver lining among the headlines of morbidity and sorrow. Community orientation, policy advocacy, and social empathy are all on the rise already; even as the majority of us stay locked in our homes, the need for revitalization and change is a pulse that links us together. We are being given the best platform to slow down, appreciate the little things in life, and reignite relationships with our family members and friends (virtually). Even slight lifestyle changes like planting your first victory garden to tolerating leftovers a little better, wasting less to learning a new skill like sewing or painting or woodworking in your spare time all contribute to a healthier and more productive life overall.
Think about it this way; if your neighbors don’t have as much of a yard as you, and your family plants a victory garden that flourishes, you may be more inclined to share your surplus- which facilitates conversation with people who you may not have interacted with on a usual basis. *Note, sharing and interacting herein refers to socially distant and safe measures.
That resurging sense of ‘togetherness’ unites us all, makes the world a smaller place, and develops a stronger sense of empathy than before. With empathy, we are more likely (on a psychological level) to react to others in need, in distress, or otherwise that trigger us to feel. This is what makes the world a kinder place. Everyone loves those feel-good articles of humanity- and with all of us honing in on our social emotions and exercising empathy, there’s bound to be a lot more of these articles being published because of our newfound call to action.
So embrace your retro soul and teach it to your children! Engage in activities that are joyful and enriching to you and to those around you. Paint a picture for your family member, write letters to our brave first responders, grow vegetables for the block, and communicate with people for the sheer purpose of being kind and bringing a smile to someone new. Above all, encourage and teach others around you to share in this new spirit of unity. Togetherness, after all, is how we are stronger. Post-War America was painted as a friendly time… (Author’s Note, we recognize it was plastered with racism, and it was far from perfect)… but post-viral Earth can realistically be a friendly time. Cheers, readers- be the change you want to see.
Stay healthy, stay safe! -Retro Rebellious Curious- The RRBlog Staff
Retro Curious Rebellious: The Revival 