On the last day of 2019, everyone was so charged up like any other year. Dreams, hope, resolutions were on a high. Everyone was so excited about the things they planned for this year. But as they say,
"Man proposes, God disposes"
Although I am still unsure if that was something that God planned, let's not get into that for now. What I am trying to say is that everyone was so excited to make things happen. In contrast to that, everything came to a standstill.
It's no surprise that COVID-19 completely destroyed the essence of this year. In fact, many of us even wish to cross this year from their memory lane. They are just eagerly waiting for the year 2021 to arrive.
However, that's just one side of the coin. Many other things happened besides destruction that no one was thinking of doing for another 10 years. Do you know what I am trying to say? If not, head to the next sections and give me a moment to explain.
Let's start with the most common changes.
Technology is Replacing Traditional Practices
It's no surprise that everyone is going gaga over technology solutions in any form, i.e., digital, cognitive, or blockchain. With everything that people and companies went through during COVID, they are now readily adopting emerging/evolving technologies to safeguard their operations from future disruptions.
Digital marketing services and technologies like AI, robotics, and blockchain became household names within a few months. There is a growing interest among entrepreneurs and individuals about "what's next." 2020 helped everyone to take that necessary risk, which they were avoiding for so long.
Regardless of the type of industry or size of the company, these trends are becoming an inherent option to survive the evolving digital landscapes. Those who were still adamant about making the desired changes lost a lot of potential revenue and business tremendously.
Social Media Became The New Meeting Point
Social media has been an integral part of our lives for years. And with people cooped inside their homes, having no option to go out, switching to different social media channels to check in with their family and friends gradually became a need of the hour.
That's not all. Social media moved past the medium of mere socializing. Businesses took over to these platforms to reach their target customers. Furthermore, individuals who lost their jobs took advantage of the platform to showcase their skills and talents.
Freelancing became the buzz word with personal branding options through portals like Instagram and LinkedIn. Social media became a small world where people could find everything they desired; motivational posts, jobs, casual conversations to business tie-ups.
On-Demand Apps Saw a Steep Rise
It won't be wrong to say that the ongoing upheaval triggered seismic shifts in consumer behavior. Thereby forcing businesses to look around the bend to survive the ever-changing market trends and technology landscapes.
As per the Harvard Business Review, the on-demand business model is already engaging more than 22.4 million consumers. And with the current scenario, there is no looking back. Studies predict that the on-demand industry will see a breakthrough in the coming years.
Therefore, it has become imperative that businesses deliver a holistic, dynamic, intuitive, and immersive user experience to create value for their customers. Be it healthcare, retail, travel, home care, digital and entertainment, or businesses providing day-to-day essentials. Companies are trying to provide service offerings or products that ensure the comfort of their users.
Besides all the tech trends, there was one more thing that became trending. Scroll down to know more.
Mental Health Became the Most Talked Subject
COVID-19 affected lives in more than one way. Millions lost their lives, others lost their jobs, and many people succumbed to pressure, making them susceptible to mental vulnerability. Although mental illness is not new, only a few managed to talk about it openly.
With COVID, everyone was left with no choice but to stay inside to protect the virus from spreading. This sudden change left millions of people astray. With no idea of what's happening, some took drastic steps.
All in all, this whole scenario left others to take note of their mental health. Time and again, mental health was discussed and hyped for all the right reasons.
People finally understood the importance of mental health and openly talked about it casually without the fear of judgment. This does not mean that everyone is coming out of their shell. But we have definitely taken the first step to push the barriers that come with mental health disorders.
To Sum it Up
COVID-19 has impacted multiple facets of our lives: how we work, conduct business, and even the way we spend our leisure time. It's safe to say that 2020 has become a defining moment in our lives.
People finally understand the importance of relationships, professional and personal. Everyone is working together to make the world a better place, be it through innovations or by simply giving importance to what they have at this particular moment.
Although it's still way behind what it should be, at least we have begun our journey in the right direction.
So, tell me,
How 2020 changed your life?