For more than a year because of the pandemic, most of us have been stuck in our homes with very limited movement. Our vacations were most likely canceled. Our reunions were postponed. Special occasions were put on hold or scaled down to meet the quarantine protocols. We are now living the New Normal.
Being confined to our homes inevitably caused us anxiety. The world is experiencing collective trauma because of the Coronavirus. Even our support system, our friends, are not always readily accessible for a hug or face-to-face chitchat. The best thing we have is our screens.
At least we have something to be grateful for. Imagine the pandemic happening early 2000s, and we're stuck with our Nokias playing snake.
In this moment of collective anxiety, how can we be of service to our friends who, like us, are stuck in their residences away from us? Let me share a few suggestions.
Ask them what's going on
It's reassuring to have someone checking up on us once in a while. During this time when social media is our primary means of escapism, a friend checking up on us brings us back to reality. Stay in touch with friends who are self-isolating. Ask them how they are doing, and remind them that you are thinking of them once in a while. Keep the connection as normal and supportive as possible.
Spend time listening
From time to time, lend your ear and allow them to share their sentiments, hurts, fears, and even their anxieties about what's going on around them. Listen even when all they want to talk about is their Netflix series they're watching or a new game they're playing. Just listen, and you never know what you might learn. It's tempting to do the talking as a form of emotional release and because we are trying to make sense of what's happening. But this is also the case with them. When the situation calls, lend your listening ear.
A videocall, maybe?
Thank God for the technology available, at least we can do video calls and Zoom catch-ups no matter the distance between us and our friends. Set a virtual hangout. Invite others. Perhaps make it a regular weekly event? Set a theme to make it more lively. Do Zoom games even. Just be creative and more entertaining. This will help you and your friends to ease the boredom and at least address your anxiety. Just have fun and don't make the meeting tedious and dragging, else your meeting will just add to their screen fatigue.
Watch Party
One thing my girlfriend and I did during this series of quarantines is to watch Netflix together, even while we're apart. There are apps available such as Rave even Watch Party on Facebook where you can watch as a couple, or as a group a movie or documentary of your choice, and interact as if you're just near each other. Set a watch party with your friends. Then have a few chats after to talk about the movie.
Pray for each other
Because of our situation, we are becoming more tender and vulnerable emotionally. Especially now that the virus seems to be lurking very close to us and most of our friends and acquaintances are losing loved ones. If you have a chance, ask your friends how they feel and politely ask them if they want you to pray for them. In these trying times, our friends need more than silly jokes and laughs, they also need to know that we care for their soul, spirit, and well-being. Lift each other in prayer.
Do you have a friend in mind that you think needs to be checked?
Read my other blogs:
Hi, I am Marts! I am a writer, and aside from my stint here in read.cash, I also have my own blog - martsvalenzuela.com. I appreciate it if you pay me a visit! I plan on growing my readership as I learn to improve my craft and journey towards my passion to write and publish books that add value to people.
Let's rock!
