As a lifestyle writer, I often wonder what the word even means in 2020. Without the things that typically define lifestyle such as dining out, concert-going, seeing a movie in the theater, and traveling, what does the word even mean? Are lifestyle writers still thriving in the era of Zoom meetings and home-brewed coffee? To answer this question, I reached out to my social network and asked them how COVID-19 has altered their perception of lifestyle.

Cannabis Use is On the Rise

With nowhere to go and not much to do, many Americans have increased their cannabis consumption. Surprisingly, the Baby Boomer generation is part of the uptick in sales for dispensaries and dealers alike. It seems bizarre that our parents scolded us a decade ago for smoking pot, but now they’re avid consumers. Some studies point to a number of factors including changing attitudes toward marijuana resulting in increased legalization and widely available forms of consumption such as edibles, cannabis drinks, and more.

Online Shopping is Booming

Restrictions on non-essential businesses have led more people to buy items online. In fact, the global eCommerce market is expected to hit 4 trillion in 2020. Shoppers in the U.S., U.K., and Sweden tend to spend the most money per person while countries such as Japan, Spain, and China aren’t far behind. If you’re familiar with Shopify and Woocommerce, your skills will be in high demand.

E-Learning As an Unstoppable Force

Online learning is no longer the domain of shady Internet-only universities that advertise on late night TV. Distance learning has become mandatory for students across the globe as COVID-19 makes in-person classroom settings unsafe for students of all ages. It isn’t just K-12 and college students who are using remote learning platforms. Sites like Skillshare are helping people gain new skills in order to remain competitive and even find remote work.

All of us have had to make adjustments to our lifestyles this year. Changes in attitudes toward remote work and remote learning will open up more possibilities for people to control their life paths. Now that a vaccine is available for COVID-19, hope is on the horizon. The lessens we’ve learned this year will not be quickly forgotten.