LET’S GET CREATIVE IN THE WAYS WE STAY CONNECTED

No matter where you are right now, whether you’re in a house full of people or living completely on your own, you may be feeling a little lonely. First off, we’re here to tell you that you’re certainly not alone in feeling that way, and the fact that you’re lonely is absolutely normal.

We’re all stuck in physical distancing right now, and it may be leading to more social disconnectedness than you were expecting. We’re going to keep pushing you to check-in with the people in your life, but we get that some days you may need a little bit more social support than that.

We have some ideas to kick that loneliness out of your mind, and to remind you how many people are out there that care about how you’re doing.

Build a routine

We’ve all been trying to figure out how to fill the time, and once boredom hits, there’s usually a wave of loneliness following right behind it. So we suggest creating a routine for yourself. Write things out or put it in your phone. Make sure it takes care of all of your needs: moving your body, making meals, and getting enough sleep. Once it’s written out, the days seem more manageable and in your control (and less lonely).

Swap to video chats

You may not love being on camera all the time, and maybe you don’t love being constantly connected to your phone. But when you’re trying to make up for human contact, Facetime and video chatting is the way to go. And try and keep things like normal. If you always meet up with your friends for Taco Tuesday, hop on Zoom and choose a themed background to try and replace those nights. Yep, it’s going to be different, but it helps make life seem as normal as possible.

Be an email penpal

It’s hard to convey everything you’re thinking and feeling in just a text message, and it may be hard to get out all of your emotions in the way that you want in a video chat. It’s weird how nice it is to have something pop up in your inbox that isn’t work, spam, or bills. It can also be a nice way to reflect on how you’re feeling, while also connecting with someone. If you’re not sure who to talk to, reach out to someone you used to go to school with or an older relative that you haven’t talked to.

Start a workout group

This accomplishes a few things at once: you move your body and you get to feel the support and motivation coming from others. Websites like TwoSeven help you sync streaming from a lot of different platforms, so you can all see a workout video and each other at the same time. Check out a 30-day challenge or something, that way you'll be accomplishing something together (we’ve been trying out 30 Days of Yoga, and it’s the perfect combo of movement and calm).

Join online events

It’s pretty incredible how many people are hopping onto Instagram and sharing their creativity and expertise. Some comedians are doing live shows, musicians are sharing their music, and people are hosting virtual gatherings all over the world. If you’re looking for something to be a part of, subscribe to The Joy List — they used to only share community events in NYC and now they’ve switched to virtual events all over the world.

Have a game night

Play a board game with your family or quarantine partner. If you’re stuck alone, you can always play a solo card game or start a puzzle while you video chat with a friend who’s doing their own puzzle. If you have a gaming console, you can connect online with friends (if you’ve never played an online Mario Kart race with friends and family, you’re truly missing out). There are also websites where you can play card games, a game of Scrabble, or a game from this huge list on Facebook. If there’s a certain game you’re looking for, there’s a really good chance you can play it online with friends.

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We’re living in one of the loneliest times any of us have probably ever experienced. And it’s normal to feel that loneliness. Just keep in the mind that this new normal can consist of a lot of different ways to connect. And it can take some of that loneliness away — whether you’re connecting with friends, family, or even strangers. There’s a way for us all to be alone together.

How To Feel Less Lonely In The Loneliest Time Ever