Find meaningful ways to stay connected when friends are far away
When friends are scattered far and wide, staying in touch in ways that feel significant can be hard. But as Anna Alicia has found, creativity can enrich your lives with a deeper connection. During a month when two close friends left the city we’ve shared and two more loved ones announced their plans to move – one to the coast, one across the ocean – I’ve been thinking a lot about keeping in touch, about staying connected to the people I love, wherever they are.
It can be a wonderful thing to have friends and family spread across the globe, as so many of us do; to see loved ones being where they need or want to be, for now or maybe for always, fulfilling dreams or just trying new things, coming home from travels with new friendships and lasting bonds.
But there can be loss and disconnection in the distances between us too – not being able to pop round for a cuppa or offer a hug. Even when the distances aren’t great, it can be hard to keep in touch in ways that feel meaningful and significant, to keep connections going. There are so many ways to stay in touch now, at any distance. A quick text or social media update, a Skype chat or email can be invaluable. But sometimes something more tangible is needed, something to hold, perhaps even to plant and watch grow, or just to pop on a shelf to glance at. Something slower. This is where my love of sending (and receiving!) things in the post comes in.
Make plans to spend time online with your friends
Just as you would have made plans to spend time with your friends on the weekend or after work or school, do the same together online. Choose a film to watch together, share a meal or play a game using video platforms such as Zoom, Facebook Messenger or Google Hangout. Set aside time that you know you can look forward to spending with your friends at the end of the day. If a friend’s birthday party has been postponed due to the pandemic, make an effort to celebrate online with them instead. We have a unique opportunity here to choose how we spend our free time, so get creative and prioritising having fun together.
Start a book club
Enjoying a shared activity with friends is a great way to stay connected, regardless of whether you can physically spend time with one another or not. Choosing a book that you can read with friends both gives you an option to fill some of your alone time, and a reason to meet up and discuss something together. With video chat features on Skype, Google and Facebook you can find a platform that works for you and your friends to meet up on. If you do not have the book at home there are plenty of options to buy it online Make the most out of games on apps From scrabble and chess, to table quizzes and bowling you can find most games to play online with your friends without having to be together. Check out your app store to find hundreds of games to keep you and your friends entertained for hours. Can’t find a game you like? Challenge your friends to come up with one you can play together. Now is the time to get inventive.
Video call whenever you can
If you are feeling lonely, now is the perfect time to video call someone. Whether it is your best friend down the road or your family living abroad, the internet can connect us to whoever we want within seconds. Video calling someone does not mean you have to sit down and speak to them for an hour, instead let the conversation flow in the background as you go about your daily activities. Reach out to those who need it most Some people may find social distancing harder than others and it is important to prioritise your friends who may experience heightened difficulties during this time. Thinking of ways to connect with those who need it most can help to fill time in your day, and brighten theirs. Get creative with what you can do. Find ways to share stories, music, books and film recommendations. Share a meal together over video or just do what you would normally do when together and sit around and have a chat.
Appreciate those around you Practicing social distancing may mean spending a lot of your time with the people you live with, such as your family, partner or housemates. When spending a long period of time with any one person, it can be easy for you to begin to get on each other’s nerves, but it is important to try and support each other and make the most of your time together. Make a list of things you can do together around the house, work out with each other and encourage each other to prioritise your mental health and wellbeing during this time. You have the opportunity to shape how and those important to you spend your time while social distancing.
Use social media for good
Social media is a great way to connect with people all around the world and we may find ourselves spending more and more time on it as we practice social distancing. Take this opportunity to connect with friends through social media. Share experiences of how you are staying well and share information to encourage others to prioritise their health. This situation is completely new to everyone involved and it is normal to feel worried or anxious about what is going on. Following the Government’s instructions on how to stay safe and help slow the spread of the virus, can help to make you feel more in control of your current situation.
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