Are there long time friends that you just haven’t talked with since the start of the pandemic? Of course, you were like me, saying to yourself, “Well, we will chat again soon.” Or, “One of these days I’ll give them a call again.” But, it’s now been two years. Two long years.
I challenged myself this week. I had some days off from work, and it was my goal to re-connect with some people whom I haven’t talked with in a while. And, even though it’s been two years, it felt like we picked up right where we left off at our last conversation. Do you have friends like that? Through my experiences this week, there are definitely lessons that I have learned that I want to share with all of you.
1) Isolation should never be the new normal: Ever since the beginning of the pandemic, one of the most commonly used phrases, that is now stuck in our heads is “social distance.” Of course, from an infectious disease standpoint, I understood its importance. However, this made it easier to just stay at home, and just isolate yourself from the rest of the world. After months and months of doing this, it became the new normal (whatever that means). Following my experiences this week, I will never fall into isolation again. Humans need to be with other humans, in-person. Don’t get caught in the “social distancing” trap.
2) Consent is key to re-connect with friends: In addition to the “social distancing” trap, we have been conditioned to stop any kind of social physical contact. Recently, I had someone scold me for trying to shake their hand. How we try to get back is using consent and asking permission. For example, asking if it’s ok to shake someone’s hand, or to give a hug, or to even take off your mask. Some people are ready to try to get back to social physical contact like shaking hands, and some people are not. My advise is to meet people at the comfort level they are comfortable at. This pandemic has caused a lot of fear in people. Asking consent can help people work through their fear.
3) We need each other’s stories: During pandemic isolation, you cannot help but think about yourself, and drive yourself crazy. Getting caught up with my friends this week made me realize that we need other people’s stories to help shape our own life story. I really believe that we are a piece of every person that we meet throughout our life. And everyone else’s life experience adds to my own. However, in isolation, there has been so much missing in my life, and this week has started to re-add some missing pieces.
4) There is nothing like laughter with friends: During this pandemic, I’ve been trying to keep my spirits up with watching things like comedy TV shows and comedy movies. However this week, in talking with long time friends, the laughter that I experienced was another old friend that I haven’t seen in a while. You must have friends like this, right? If you do, and you haven’t talked with them in a while, you must reach out and re-connect. You won’t regret it.
So, here’s my challenge to you, and it is similar to the challenge I made myself this week. Make a list of people whom you haven’t talked with since the beginning of the pandemic. Do what you need to do to re-connect, whether it be call them, text them, and/or meet up with them. I assure you that you won’t regret it, and it’s just another step to get you through this pandemic...