We’ve felt displaced physically and emotionally, too. But rather than being overwhelmed, many of us have adapted, using our homes as makeshift offices, nurseries, schools, and houses.
However, this shift also presents opportunities. Some of us have decided to move out of the city to enjoy the benefits of having more space and fresher air in the countryside while still being able to work for organisations based in the town. This not only offers a healthier and more peaceful living environment but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with daily commuting.
This builds on pre-existing trends of many young people wanting to use their freedom of travel to move abroad and become digital nomads, something that Brexit will hinder.
Likewise, rather than sit around a table with our team or classmates or in a shop with our colleagues, our faces have become squares on a digital platform with emojis replacing body language.
The same can be said of communal activities in our neighbourhoods. We don’t go to gigs, the gym, or bars where we’d bump into new people or at least be surrounded by strangers, but instead schedule online calls or parties with our close ties.
As importantly, the same can also be said of particular rituals we used to partake in together, such as commuting on a bus or train, having coffee in the company canteen, meeting up with a friend for a laugh or a cry, and even going to weddings or funerals to celebrate or mourn together.
What new rituals should we create to compensate those who have been displaced? These rituals should not only fill the void left by the old ones but also foster a sense of community and connection.
For instance, if people walk around the park or their neighbourhood to use the time they would have otherwise commuted, we could use the spaces they pass through to host community events, signpost them to other neighbourly activities, and encourage them to get involved. This could include regular park clean-up days, community gardening projects, or local history tours.
Suppose people want to take a virtual coffee break like they would have done in the office rather than going from one teleconference to the next. How could safe co-working spaces in neighbourhoods provide water-cooler moments between local people using them to generate innovation at a hyperlocal level? These new work setups have the potential to inspire and foster innovation.
Suppose people can use their homes more to make lunch than go to the nearest supermarket. What opportunities exist for people to get involved in communal activities to grow, create and trade food, like the People’s Supermarket or Sunday Soup?
Suppose people don’t need time to commute, which is counterbalanced by childcare or other caring commitments. How about a four-day week that some countries and businesses are experimenting with?
