Staying Connected During Social Distancing Measures
Humans are social beings, so we all need close and supportive relationships with others - whatever that means to each of us individually - in order to help us thrive. It is true that physical proximity and touch are important aspects of social connection, and it is also true that humans are creative and inventive beings, which is an advantage in times like these.
As we all adjust to life with COVID-19, we need to find new ways to keep connected with our loved ones, so that we can support each other in these intense and rapidly changing circumstances.
Spending Time Together While Apart
Self-isolation doesn't have to be lonely. It's more important than ever to make socializing a priority because we all need to be supported, and it lifts us up to help support others. While the physical parameters of our lives have contracted, there are many great online options for meeting up with friends and family.
There are many possibilities for coordinating groups online - you can meet in a Facebook group, email or text message thread. Video chats can easily be hosted on Zoom, Skype, Facetime, Google Hangouts, or Facebook Messenger. Some of these are more complex than others, but all can be easily learned through practice and online tutorials.
As for what to do with your friends - now you get to be creative! This can be a great opportunity for brainstorming together, or trying out new ideas and seeing if they work. And if not, trying something else the next time. You can host a family dinner, watch a movie, play board games, sing karaokekareoke, drink cocktails, or just talk and spend time together.
Complexity can vary between platforms and types of events, so start with what you already feel comfortable using, and give yourself time to learn the ins and outs of new technology before using it 'for real.' You might discover something you really enjoy!
Reaching Out to Reconnect
One opportunity within the Covid-19 pandemic is to use the technology at our disposal to reconnect with friends or family members we don't connect with as often as we'd like to.
Starting up an effort to reconnect can be a challenge, but someone needs to be the one to initiate.
Here are some tips for reaching out with an invitation:
Be clear and concise, and create space for an accept or decline to your invite. There’s a good chance your long lost friend will be delighted to hear from you, but they may not choose to take up your invitation for a number of reasons. If that happens, don’t take it personally.
State that you'd love to reconnect, if that's what they want too, and then offer some details. Rather than saying "let's talk sometime," try "I'd love to set up a video chat for next week if that works for you. I am free anytime Monday."
It is caring and considerate to make it easy for the other person to take up your invitation - we all appreciate clarity during stressful times.
What's Old is New: Retro Styles
One of the main reasons old-fashioned methods of communication fell by the wayside is because they are often time consuming to create and / or deliver. We are all about efficiency these days! Which is precisely why it is so meaningful when someone takes the time to make something special by hand or send us a handwritten letter in the mail.
Taking the time to create something and individualize it for the recipient can be a fun way to exercise creativity, particularly if you're working with limited supplies. It can also be a special way of passing along something nostalgic or traditional to a new generation.
Snail mail is the classic old fashioned communication method. Most of us mostly get bills in the mail, if that, and kids don't even get bills! It's fun to send and receive handwritten letters, cards, postcards, or care packages. Alternatively you could send messages "on tape" (use the voice memo feature on your smartphone) or "mix tapes" (create a shareable playlist of songs or music videos on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or other streaming services.
Career Connections: Virtual Networking, Mentoring, & Support
If your work circumstances have changed, this time could be used to build meaningful career connections. It may be easier to coordinate schedules with online meetings, and there is infinite potential to connect with people anywhere in the world. During times of uncertainty around careers and finances, it's always a good idea to strengthen your network. A solid network is an important foundation during times of change!
Video conferencing is ideal for networking virtually from home. You could meet with your mentor or mentee, or become a mentor or mentee, by connecting with the right person and setting up a weekly or biweekly video call. Another great way to use technology to work on your career is to set up a mastermind group. You could meet virtually and work together, and / or have a 1x or 2x weekly check in via text, email, or Slack. Collaborating on projects can easily be done online adding productivity tools like Slack or Asana, in addition to video conferencing, to allow groups to work on the same project together.
Sexting: Basics, Benefits, and Boundaries
Social distancing and self-isolation can put a real damper on your romantic life. However, sexual pleasure is an important part of the human experience, and can be a great stress buster, too! If you are missing out on physical intimacy right now, you can keep the connection going, and fuel your fantasies, with sexting. If you aren't a seasoned sexter already, or if the idea is a bit out of your comfort zone, try to see this as an opportunity to improve your sexual communication skills, and that will improve your life during both pandemic and non-pandemic times!
There are lots of great tips on how to be an amazing sexter, but the most important starting point is your own safety and privacy, as well as getting consent from your sexting partner. Make sure the person you're texting with is receptive to that kind of messaging, and is in a place to recieve it (many people are currently at home alone, but some are with their families). One of the easiest access points to sexting is to open up a conversation about an experience you've had with your partner, or share a fantasy or sexual bucket list item. Use your own ‘voice’ so it feels authentic - which means sticking to the language you would use in real life. If the right words are hard to find, you can have a lot of fun with emojis or GIFs!
Meaningful Conversations
People often regret not having taken the time to have deep and meaningful conversations with their loved ones more often in life. When life gives you the opportunity to put things in perspective, people often walk away with a renewed sense of gratitude and commitment to their personal relationships. Having more meaningful conversations is often a matter of creating the opportunity, asking the right questions, and listening wholeheartedly. Reciprocity is also an important feature, as sharing stories with each other is an effective way to strengthen our bonds
So, how do we start asking the right questions? There are great lists of questions like the article "36 Questions That Lead to Love" (use "love" in this context to mean "connection") and The Legacy Conversation Starter that provide a structured way to have a back and forth about big topics. Well curated lists like this one typically start with lighter fare and then progress to more complex questions.
Another way is to write a letter of gratitude to someone important in your life. You can send it to them, or call them up and read it to them. Who wouldn’t be delighted to be surprised with something like that?
Health Benefits of Staying Connected
Staying connected is so important to our mental health, emotional well-being, and even our physical health (it helps boost our immunity too!). It can help with anxiety and depression, and even contributes positively to life expectancy.
Most of us know that personal relationships are important, but it can be hard to find the time to organize plans and stay in touch. Currently, many of us need social support more than ever, and being there for your friends is something that can help you feel happier and more effective. On the other hand, being able to reach out and ask for support from your friends is an important life skill, and a cornerstone of a good self-care plan.
Right now you might find your preferences for how to stay connected aren’t available to you. If so, use this time to discover some new ways to stay connected that work just as well from a distance. You might find yourself craving social connection more often, and / or having a bit more time to commit to that part of your life. If so, enjoy that opportunity, despite the not-so-ideal reasons for it. This could be a time to commit to keeping your personal relationships more of a priority going forward. Reach out to your people, set a date and time and do - whatever you want - to stay connected!