The Ghosts of COVID: How the Pandemic Changed Us in Ways We Still Refuse to See

It’s easy to pretend things are "back to normal." After all, the stores are open, concerts are packed, and airports are chaotic again. But let’s be honest: something changed. Deep down, we all know it.

The strangeness that COVID brought isn’t over. In fact, it stares at us every single day — in our bodies, our minds, and our relationships — yet most of us refuse to look directly at it.

The truth is, the COVID era has left us — all of us — with real physiological and psychological repercussions. And the evidence is everywhere, whether we want to see it or not.

We Gained More Than We Realized (And Not Just Weight)

Let’s start with the obvious: physical health.

A study published in JAMA Network Open found that U.S. adults gained an average of 1.5 pounds per month during the pandemic lockdowns. That's nearly 20 pounds per person over a year.

Scroll through your own social media. Introduce your 2019 self to your 2024 self. You’ll likely notice it: a little softer around the edges, a little more tired in the eyes. It’s not about vanity — it’s about the reality that our lifestyles shifted dramatically, and for many, it hasn't shifted back.

We’re Meaner, Needier, and More Detached

The pandemic didn’t just physically isolate us — it rewired how we relate to one another.

Before 2020, small talk with strangers at a coffee shop or gym wasn't unusual. Now? We sit in rooms full of people but rarely make eye contact. We spend hours sweating next to others on treadmills, in spin classes, or at yoga, yet barely exchange a word.

According to research published in The Lancet in 2021, loneliness increased by up to 25% globally during the pandemic. Even after restrictions lifted, many found it hard to reconnect.

The muscles of social interaction, it turns out, can atrophy just like any other.

We are lonelier — but oddly more sensitive, too. Minor slights now feel major. A slow customer service interaction feels personal. Our collective patience has worn dangerously thin.

We Don’t Just Hate Work — We Hate Everything About It

COVID also shook our relationship with work — perhaps permanently.

The so-called "Great Resignation" saw over 47 million Americans voluntarily quit their jobs in 2021. Workers reassessed not just what they do, but why they do it — and for whom.

Surveys from Gallup continue to show a rise in "quiet quitting," where employees do the bare minimum instead of striving for promotion or praise.

Enthusiasm for traditional career paths, corporate loyalty, and the endless "hustle culture" that once defined the 2010s — it’s evaporated. And yet, paradoxically, we still consume, shop, and demand convenience — participating in the very capitalist system many now claim to resent.

Generation Z: Supposed to Be Different, Now Sadder and Angrier

For a while, Millennials like me pinned our hopes on Gen Z. They were supposed to be better: more socially conscious, more resilient, more united.

And in many ways, they are — but they’re also struggling.

The CDC reports that by 2023, over 42% of Gen Z adults (ages 18-24) had experienced symptoms of anxiety and depression. Rates of sadness, anger, and even suicidal ideation among teens and young adults have reached historic highs.

Instead of leading with optimism, many young people feel overwhelmed, disillusioned, and, yes, obsessed with protest. Whether it’s climate change, racial justice, or gender rights, activism has become a key part of Gen Z’s identity — but it often stems from despair, not hope.

So Where Does That Leave Us?

COVID didn’t just "happen." It happened to us. It carved scars into our bodies, our minds, and our relationships. It changed how we live, work, and see ourselves.

We don’t really trust strangers anymore. We don’t really trust institutions anymore. And sometimes, if we’re honest, we don’t really trust ourselves anymore either.

Pretending that it’s all behind us is comforting — but it’s also dangerous. Healing requires honesty first.

Maybe it’s time we actually look at what COVID left behind. Because it didn’t leave quietly.

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Medical Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical or mental health condition. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional or licensed mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here.