Raise your hand if you’re already over quarantine? *raises hand*
Even though it looks like we’ll be practicing social distancing for the foreseeable future, we don’t have to become socially disconnected. Social interaction is a basic human need (p.s. I feel for all my extroverts struggling out there). Human connectivity builds empathy, makes us feel safe, and helps us heal both emotionally and biologically. However, with the onset of COVID-19 and how inundated we are on social media, it’s no wonder why so many people (including myself) want to limit time on social media.
So how can you satisfy your need for community or human interaction while following guidelines? Here are 14 ways to be social without social media.
- Trade Playlists on Spotify with your friends. If you’re a music geek like me and love finding new music, share it with your friends. Or make playlists for your friends to listen to while chilling at home.
- Contact someone you’ve lost touch with and call them. We’ve all got one long lost friend we’ve been meaning to reach out to. Send them an email or schedule a Facetime call to catch up.
- Play a game of archery via GamePigeon (sorry iPhone users only). I’ve discovered I suck at almost every game but it is fun especially if you have a group that are great at hyping their own skills.
- Camp out in the living room with your roommates. I don’t like camping; something about not having a restroom makes me apprehensive. But INDOOR camping sounds fun and like a perfect roommate night in.
- Prepare a sit down, no-phones-allowed dinner with your family. I can’t remember the last time I sat down to dinner with my family. And if you’re in the same boat, this is the perfect time to spend time with the people you love over a delicious meal (not the leftover quarantine snacks).
- Facetime your extended family (at least the ones you like). Take time to connect with your cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, spiritual moms, distant coached, and anyone who is family-like to you.
- Write a letter to your crush (a la To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before). It’s your choice to send it or not. Now, I’m not telling you to send it…but at the very least you’ve gotten those feelings out of you and onto paper. Just dont address and stamp it. You’ve been warned.
- Watch a movie in sync with your best friend. Netflix had got you covered!
- Listen to NSync with your best friend. And on that note finally end the age old argument, NSync is better than Backstreet boys and B2K trumps both of them. Don’t @ me.
- If you save cards and notes from your friends over the years, read them over and encourage yourself. I’m a personal note person. I love when people send me notes and I love writing them. That being said whenever I need a little reminder that i am valued by the people around me, I read those notes. It grounds me in my community.
- Write and record a silly song and send it to your boyfriend. (extra points for a rap). Imma give you the first line, “Corona ain’t got nothing on you…” You finish.
- Ask your roommate for honest feedback. (this one’s not for the faint of heart however great for our Enneagram 8’s out there.) I’m going to be honest, I don’t naturally gravitate towards these conversations unless I feel completely safe with you. However, this is a great time to LISTEN more and talk less. Listen to your roommate and even ask questions you may have been cautious to have answered.
- Play an online board game with long distance friends. Mafia. ‘Nuff said.
Post Twenty-five Life 