For some of us, voluntary social distancing has turned into full on mandatory self-isolation. In my house, we are on Day 9, and the novelty of family time, no carpooling and no schedule to keep has definitely worn off. We’re all been keeping a good outlook, but I’m starting to feel like the last person Earth with no real connection to the outside world other than the news.
It’s clear that, at least in the short-term, we’re all going to have to get clever about how we connect. It’s also clear from my mere 9 days of self-isolating that connection is really important. Here are a few ways I’m trying to connect with the humans outside the four walls of my house. Feel free to try to them, too.
Schedule a FaceTime happy hour with friends
It doesn’t matter if there’s just water in your glass or something stronger, the point is to schedule time that’s about you connecting with friends. Social distancing can be exhausting because parents are on duty all the time and never get a reprieve. Schedule time to get on a Zoom call or FaceTime with one, two, or a group of friends to catch up, vent, share a laugh, and remind yourselves that you may be isolated, but you're not alone.
Work out via a digital platform
Not only will those endorphins give you a little boost, but hearing a positive adult voice, even if that voice is telling you do deeper squats, will remind you that there’s a big world out there and you are still a part of it.
Connect with older relatives who might be self-isolating longer than us younger folks
Remember, older folks have been advised for a while now to stay inside. That means they’re starved for connection and human contact. Give a call, FaceTime, text, or stop by without stopping in and check on older relatives, friends, and neighbors. You might be the only person they speak to all day. This is a great time for grandparents to connect with grandkids virtually. Need a break in your day? Schedule a regular FaceTime story time where grandma reads them a book. Have a digital show-and-tell with grandpa showing off the million and one crafts your child already made that day.
Take a walk
While it sounds so simple, in our regular lives most of us are isolated in our cars getting our kids from one activity to the next in between trying to finish our own work day. Take advantage of life being slowed down right now and take the kids for a walk in the neighborhood. Chances are you'll see other neighbors doing the same — but don't forget to stay far apart! Even a friendly wave across the street to a real-live person is better than nothing.
Start a virtual book club
You’ve got nothing but time now, so why not catch up that queue of books that’s been on your nightstand for a year? Better yet, make a book club with friends or family and schedule weekly Zooms to chat about the book.
Start group texts with friends
Yes, video chats are great, but sometimes they're just not practical — especially when all your kids are home. So, while group texts can sometimes get annoying, when you’ve got no other human connection, they can be the lifeline and information network you need to get you through an otherwise lonely day. Just being able to shoot off a quick "I'm losing my mind here!" can feel like a real emotional release these days.
Get takeout
Restuarants are really struggling to stay afloat right now, so if you're able, get takeout from your local favorites a few times a week. Just the drive to the restaurant will make you feel like you're back in the real world, going someplace again, and even the brief, responsibly distanced interaction with the restaurant employee will be a welcome respite. An added bonus? You won't have to cook every single meal, every single day for the rest of what feels like eternity.
Take advantage of Instagram Live and Facebook Live
You’ll have a blast popping on your social media platforms and going live. You’ll be surprised how much fun you’ll have being your own digital talk show host and your friends will be thrilled to see you live and (not) in person.
Have a group board game night
After the kiddos are in bed, bust out the laptops and phones and organize a group game night. There are lots of games available for multiplayers to play online — even Monopoly — and you can all be cheering each other on (or heckling) via FaceTime or Zoom.
