Last week, I provided some dating ideas of how to date while “social distancing.” I am beginning to really hate that phrase, “social distancing.” Watch that phrase and others that we have been introduced to in the last few weeks make it into the dictionary next year. I don’t think anyone can call himself an expert with dating in this type of situation, but still I hear them talking about it on television and have read many articles on the topic. But we are all trying to find our feet here. We need to try new things, see what works, and eliminate what isn’t conducive to dating for the next while.

The title says it all. But does it? We need to live this “new normal” life because of the virus that is rapidly spreading throughout the world, but how do we do that? I was “over” this whole COVID-19 after the first few days. It’s no vacation just because I couldn’t go into the office.

I guess I’m not a philosopher or someone who can teach others how to think of a situation in a new way. The fact that I have been trying to get people to approach shidduchim in a different way, a way of not calling everyone in the neighborhood or who taught at his or her school to find out information on the girl/guy, has been around for decades. It may not be the popular opinion, but I’m not the first person to speak about this. Not only do I speak about it, I live it as well. I met my husband at work. I knew what I knew about him from him. I talk the talk and walk the walk. Sometimes people get wrapped up in the “narishkeit” when it comes to shidduchim. That, too, has been around for a very long time, as well. Here are two emails from women who talked the talk long before I talked to my husband (then co-worker). Sometimes it’s better to lead by action instead of just telling others what to do.

 In life, people don’t stay the same. Your likes and dislikes may change from when you are a teenager to when you are a 40-year-old. Your perspective and opinion on things may evolve, as well. In the letter below, a young man writes that he is making some changes to his life; and while his girlfriend doesn’t mind him “changing,” she feels no need to make any changes to her life. The man is confused about what to do: Stay with this woman or try to find someone who shares his new hashkafah.