Happy Galentine's Day; The Pandemic Has Been Hard On Friendships

30 Jan Happy Galentine’s Day; The Pandemic Has Been Hard On Friendships

Posted at 20:34h in Healthy Lifestyle by Jilan Koch 0 Comments

Relationships are hard to maintain on a good day. The last 2 years have been particularly challenging because of the big C-19. With so many different perspectives, many friendships and family relationships have crumbled. With each person holding so tight to their own ideals, talking about religion and politics seem to be less sensitive than C-19 nowadays.

I wasn’t sure if I should bring up such a sensitive topic, but I think the silence actually perpetuates the “divide”. So here I am, talking about the elephant in the room and the impact that it’s having on individuals. Sadly, I’m hearing countless stories of bullying (social media and face-to-face) if a child is not vaccinated or if a child is. If there is a case in the school, some families are wondering who the parents are and why they aren’t following all the precautions. I’m here to say, you can get this infection even when following all the protocols. C-19 blaming and shaming isn’t of value to anyone. Getting COVID should not result in feelings of guilt, shame or embarrassment.

The fact that this is going on in our community is heart-breaking, because at the end of the day, I know everyone is making the best choices for their family and truly believe that people put forth the best effort they know how. I also know that fear and anxiety can drive people to make decisions that you may not like, but ultimately, they are human and by virtue of this alone, they are privy to making their own decisions, without judgment.

Between the “divide” and the social requirements to keep “distance” and “stay home”, it’s easy to feel lonely or to get overly comfortable with being on your own and somewhat recluse (this is totally me). While it’s comfortable and safe, it’s not necessarily healthy in the long run. The longer we go being antisocial, the harder it will be to do the opposite, when we can. This may be the time when leaning on family and friends is very important.

Are you missing your friendships?

As you emerge from months when you feel you may have lost touch with friends and are eager to reconnect, it’s important to remember how friendships made you feel before the pandemic. Spending time with a good friend feels easy and uplifting. The conversation flows, hours pass in a blink, and both parties walk away euphoric, thanks to the release of feel-good hormones that come with a few good laughs.

Here are some strategies to consider when reaching for that level of effortless you once had with a friend:

Be extra compassionate: Be compassionate with yourself and friends if your hangouts don’t have the same energy as before. You might need time to warm up again in the social department.
Be choosy: You may feel the need to jump right into to all friendships simultaneously. This can be overwhelming, both to your schedule and your emotional bandwidth. Instead, be choosy about whom you spend time with. Remember it’s ok to say “no” or reschedule if you are feeling overwhelmed. It’s also ok to choose to spend one-on-one time with a friend rather than a group setting.
Build a routine: Book a time each week or month with a friend. Knowing when you will see your friend next will take the scheduling aspect out of it, which can be the most challenging part. Sign up for a book club together, play a sport together, or go for weekly walks.
Support each other: Make the time you have with each other meaningful. Ask how each other is doing and let each other “vent”. This outlet can help cope with stress and give a sense of belonging.

Feeling socially awkward and left exhausted after being in a social setting?

The hours needed to build and maintain a strong friendship have been impossible to obtain during the pandemic, so don’t feel discouraged if there is an awkward silence, or you are feeling less confident in a social setting. Here are some non-covid conversation starters to get the conversation and laughter rolling:

What is the last good book you read?
Have you watched any good shows lately?
Who is your celebrity crush?
What are the top 5 things on your bucket list?
What is the idea of your perfect vacation?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
What is your favourite restaurant in the area?
If you could have dinner with anyone living or not, who would it be?
What is your spirit animal?
What’s the best/worst date you have ever been on?
What was your most embarrassing experience?