In this oddly surreal time we currently find ourselves in, we have all had to adapt quickly to our temporary new normal. Physical distancing does not have to mean social distancing. It took me a few weeks but I’ve learned how to stay social in the time of social distancing.
How To Stay Social in the Time of Social Distancing
Before “all of this”, I did not realize how much I treasured my daily social activities with friends. On a “normal
day, there would be a group run or a coffee date or a lunch with friends. I would coach my Girls on The Run Team in the afternoons at the elementary school. I would pop into the grocery store or the post office and “run into” a friend or two and catch up. All of the sudden, those normal everyday social interactions were taken away from all of us.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve found a few ways to stay social that are helping me navigate social distancing. Here are a few ideas to help you stay social in the time of social distancing.”Zoom” has become the new favorite for everything social.
Host a Virtual Happy Hour or Coffee dAte
We now have virtual Friday afternoon happy hours on Zoom for our running group. These “meet ups” have given me the opportunity to catch up with people who I seldom see and those who I often see. We also get a glimpse into home life with barking dogs and crying babies. Oh and there’s wine.
Host a Virtual Book Club
Choose a book and invite some of your besties to join you in a virtual book club. We are currently on our second round of our new book club. We just read “In 5 years” which was the Good Morning America book club pick last month. I hope this is something that we can continue (in person) at some point.
Create A recipe exchange
With more people cooking and baking, it’s fun to trade ideas and recipes with friends. Ask friends to share their weekly favorites via email or Facebook.
Go on walks “together”
Schedule a phone chat with a friend and go on a walk together. It almost feels like you are walking together and the time flies by even faster.
Broadcast to a wider social network
Always thought about starting your own podcast? Now may be the time. Check out Vurbl Podcasts a new podcast hosting site launching soon.
Great ideas! We will have a Zoom get-together with our family tonight.
I used to hate talking on the phone, but now even I am calling a lot more than I used to, haha! I should try the idea with “going on walks together”.
I know I am talking to some people more than I used to as well. Yes try the walks “with” a friend it’s fun
I’m a solitary person, but the social distancing is affecting me! I get a lot of social interaction at work and now that I don’t have that, I’m feeling kind of lonely! The ZOOM chats are everything. My mom, sisters, and I chatted last Sunday–we’re going to do it again this weekend.
I know you don’t realize how much you crave the social interaction. Glad that you and your family are taking advantage. I will set up another one for our crew next week. Have a great weekend
One thing my extended family is doing is zoom calls! It’s nice since my grandparents can see everyone and connect with us even though they can’t actually see us. I’ve also been doing facetime happy hours with my sister on weekends.
My parents are figuring out all of this technology finally so it’s nice to have them along
I like the idea of a virtual walk together 😉 We should give that a try <3 Seriously, this is a time no one ever could have predicted, I'm glad we have a lot of technology gadgets to help us navigate & stay connected!
The technology sure does help! Let’s try for another walk maybe Saturday or Sunday? Let me know!
Great ideas! I’ve been doing the virtual happy hours but I hadn’t thought about the virtual book club or virtual walks. I’m going to have to give that a try. A friend of mine is having a virtual crafting brunch this weekend and I’m looking forward to that 🙂
That sounds fun too!
I like the virtual walk idea! One of my friends and I have been having virtual happy hours regularly. A virtual walk sounds like a healthier option!
I am lucky to live with my running partner. Runs don’t seem so lonely when I have someone to talk with. Of course, I am sure Bill wishes sometimes that I would just shut up and run! 🙂
Hey you could combine the 2! ha ha
I’ve been doing video chats, but I really like the idea of walks “together” + virtual book clubs! :]! Thank goodness for technology!!
I know seriously!
I quickly realized how much I missed my daily interactions with my clients when this first started and I wasn’t seeing clients virtually yet. Thank goodness for technology!
Such a huge help with everything!
Well, obviously I’m pretty antisocial. OTOH, not really, it’s just that I’m an introvert.I really do like my quiet time.
You have some really great ideas, Deborah! I am so not interested in hosting a podcast, though. Just videos are way out of my comfort zone already!
I am really impressed that you have gotten your videos up and going so quickly. They are not easy to do and edit
Every week we have been doing zoom session with my family. It has been nice to catch up on there. I wish I could do a book club, but I have such a hard time even opening up one. Eith all this time on our hands now I probably should try.
It is definitely a great way to pass the time!
I’ve been engaging on Zoom lately! I also love the Houseparty app – check it out! It’s a fun way to host a game night with friends virtually.
I will check that out too thanks
I agree social distancing doesn’t mean we can’t connect with our family and friends! Although I do miss interacting with people in person and being able to run with a group on the weekends. We’ve done a couple of video calls which I don’t normally do with family – should probably do it more often even after this is over since they live across the country. Grateful we have the technology to do it too!
I am very grateful as well for the technology. I really miss my runs with friends that is the hardest part
These are all great ideas! I have done a few virtual happy hours and coffee dates, it does help!!
They really do!
Great ideas! I wrote about this this week too, and love you idea of a recipe exchange to add to my list of ways to connect in my own life.
Another fun way to connect during these crazy times