Five years ago, the world stood still. As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, chaos spread, workplaces shutdown and daily life was disrupted. Back then we all grappled with anxious questions: How will we survive this? Will life ever be the same again?
The global health crisis in 2020 forced us into isolation, disrupted routines and challenged our sense of stability. These experiences have left a lasting impression on individuals and ecosystems alike, becoming a catalyst for profound social, economic, and psychological transformation. The last five years reshaped how we live, work, and connect. Looking back, what has changed? More importantly, how have we changed?
A 2022 study found that the prolonged exposure to stressors during the pandemic led to significant shifts in the Big Five personality traits, particularly among young adults. Decreases in traits like agreeableness and openness indicated that that individuals were less extroverted, less open to new experiences, and more neurotic during the height of the pandemic. A separate study (Polizzi et al., 2020) noted an increase in conscientiousness, as discipline was essential for adapting to new routines and managing multiple responsibilities in the absence of external structure. As observed in a study by Sutin et. al (2022), these changes were not permanent for everyone as these shifts rebounded when life returned to normal.
The pandemic revealed that when circumstances demand it, people are capable of remarkable change. Human resilience and adaptability was a defining characteristic of the past 5 years, as neuroscientific research suggests that resilience is an adaptive process of learning to cope and growing through adversity. This is evident in how people embraced new behaviours, developing digital collaboration tools, reimagining workplace structures and adopting hybrid models of work.
Pre-pandemic, proximity was often equated with productivity—daily office interactions, quick coffee chats, and spontaneous brainstorming sessions were seen as essential. However, as we have experienced, meaningful work is not necessarily tied to physical presence.
In the face of isolation, we found new ways to connect with virtual gatherings, regular check-ins and support networks. Social connection was found to be a key predictor of mental well-being, serving as a buffer when exposed to prolonged stress (Smith et al., 2021). Self-awareness within teams is also a key factor, as members start to recognise individual tendencies and adjust accordingly to maintain effective communication and collaboration.
A study by Zaki (2020) revealed that people who experience shared hardship report higher levels of compassion and prosocial behaviour, also observed within organisations who prioritised employee well-being during the crisis. McKinsey & Company report (2022) highlighted how businesses that reacted by embracing innovation thrived in the post-pandemic economy indicating a need for emphasis on adaptability, autonomy and psychological safety to build resilient and agile teams.
Creating the New Normal
Hybrid work is here to stay as with remote working and online collaborations becoming a standard part of professional life, revolutionizing how we think about productivity and balance. A 2023 study by Gartner found that 74% of employees now prefer hybrid work models, citing improved work-life balance and reduced burnout (Gartner, 2023). It also allows increased opportunities for employment as physical and socio-economic barriers are significantly reduced.
During the pandemic, we witnessed global solidarity in responding to stress, grief and uncertainty, with the focus shifting towards prioritizing self-care and seeking help. This shift coupled with increased accessibility to resources has had a lasting impact in reducing stigma and fostering open conversations about mental well-being. Understanding how people cope with change and stress has become a critical skill, both in leadership and interpersonal relationships.
The crisis also highlighted the need for collective action with a 2023 WHO report emphasizing how global cooperation during the pandemic laid the foundation for tackling future challenges. As organisational networks expand and businesses become interconnected, we need to recognise that the most pressing global issues demand shared solutions.
Research and countless personal stories from the past five years suggest that many have emerged with heightened self-awareness and a renewed appreciation for life. For many, the pandemic provided space to reflect, leading to individuals embracing slower, more intentional lifestyles and a collective shift toward prioritising work-life balance.
