Much has been written in the print media of Pakistan about how the lockdown has altered our lives. We are now living in a time when terms such as social distancing and following SOPs have become a part of our lifestyles. It is in human nature to accept the situation and adapt to the change. Whether humans like it or not, they have adhered to all changes that have been made to their lives. Such changes stem mainly from an alteration in the socio-economic and political modality. Take for instance the war on terror and the 9/11 attacks. They altered how the citizens and the governments of the Western countries viewed the Arabs and the Muslims. Did you ever wonder when and how we, the people of Pakistan residing in the metropolis, adapted living a life under constant security? There was a time when five-star hotels, airports, and key areas of the cities did not have barricades, check posts or security installments. The lifestyle changed following the 9/11 attacks when the aftereffects of the war on terror entered into our country. It is in human nature to accept the present situation and blend the thoughts of apprehension with curiosity The lockdown because of the Covid-19 has also altered our lives. Who would have thought that the government of Pakistan would implement a lockdown across Pakistan for months before gradually lifting it? The Covid-19 pandemic made us realize a new dimension of our lives that we were a part of but we had never implemented it on ourselves in letter and spirit. This was the digital side of our lives. During the lockdown, we were compelled to use digital technology and applications to complete our tasks. This included taking online classes and giving examinations, conducting office meetings, and completing official tasks. Furthermore, online shopping was also done rigorously as people refrained from leaving their homes. The new normal, as the global media has been discussing is now upon us. Truth be told, we are living in the new normal. Our activities are more or less the same as they were during the pre-lockdown days. The approach used to complete these tasks has changed. We do meet with friends and colleagues but do so online and not in a restaurant. We eat food from our favorite restaurant but only if it is a takeaway order or delivered at home. We hold business and professional meetings but virtually and not over lunch or in a hotel. Educational institutes are taking regular classes but that too only online. The new normal that was perceived as an anomaly during April and May of 2020 has now become the norm that we are following and implementing in our lives with ease. It is in human nature to accept the present situation and blend the thoughts of apprehension with curiosity. When the lockdown was announced in Pakistan it seemed time would stand still for months. However, within a few weeks, people became accustomed to working and studying from home. The families who had scheduled weddings in March and April and after Ramadan thought their events would be rescheduled or postponed. They had to accept the new normal and carry on with the wedding ceremonies by inviting limited guests, that included immediate family members, and hosting the event in their homes. The Nikkah was performed, food was served and the celebrations were held while following the SOPs. It seems people were given the shock of Covid-19 to realize that they had made their lives difficult and challenging because of how they were living it. Take for example the use of hand sanitizers, wearing masks, and the concept of washing hands for twenty seconds. We were reintroduced to keeping ourselves clean. When we ate home-cooked meals for months instead of ordering fast food we ascertained we were having nutritious food. Our relationships also strengthened as we began talking to friends and colleagues virtually and over the phone to know if they are keeping well during these distressing times. The Covid-19 may have changed how we lived our lives and what modalities we were following before the time when the world had no idea what Covid-19 was. Today, we are living in an era where the activities we did in our recent past are polar opposite to how we perform them today. The new normal is here to stay. We need to adapt to it, whether we like it or not. The writer is an independent researcher, author and columnist