Are you struggling to feel connected in today’s slow down? I am a social person, I like to be busy and I love to be around people. The last few weeks have been hard for me to find ways to feel connected and not fall down a rabbit hole of depression.
I’ve had to look at how I can still get the same interaction but in a safe way with today’s stipulations. Finding new ways to get connected and create positive social interaction has been hard, but it is proving to be a greater blessing for myself and my family. In some ways, we are busier and more connected than before. In a good way.
Girls Nights/Mommy Dates/ Book Club
BEFORE: We would gather at one person’s home for food, chatting, and sometimes a movie or activity.
NOW: We get connected with platforms like Zoom. We chat about the books we all read or are going to read. We talk about our families, the kids, and our hubbies. We catch up on current projects, kids’ schooling, and work. We laugh about our jeans no seeing the light of day in who knows how long. Just like before minus the communal snack and nail polish piles. We have a group text to check in on each other several times a week and share fun ideas or a daily trial.
Sports and Recreation
BEFORE: My kids had soccer practice and games. We planned on starting swim lessons and t-ball.
NOW: My husband runs soccer drills in the back yard with the boys and plays 3 on 1 soccer games. We pull out the mitts and t-ball stand to work on catching and hitting. We plan to work on swimming on our own when the pools and beaches open up for the season and if they don’t then we’ll probably look into a bigger pool then our 18-inch deep kiddie or put it on hold till next winter.
Youth Groups
BEFORE: My husband and I mentored at our church’s youth programs on Wednesday nights. I worked with the 11-18-year-old girls and he was in with the 7-10-year-old boys.
NOW: We send group texts, letters, and birthday cards. I get connected with a Zoom call with the other leaders and all our girls 2-4 times a month were we play games, chat or share what we have been doing. The girls made a list of things they want to do till we can meet in person again like Two Truths and a Lie, Charades, how-to classes, and scavenger hunts. For the younger kids, my husband’s group sent out what they were planning to do with the kids so parents could have some fun ideas.
Family Time
BEFORE: We had family dinners on Sunday after church. We would visit with grandparents and cousins a couple of times a week to play, work on projects, go boating and fishing, or on nature walks.
NOW: We love to call, text, or use Zoom, and Marco Polo. Several times a day we are reaching out to our family on the different platforms. We are sharing with them our latest trick, discovery, and exciting new facts we learned. In some ways, we are more connected now than before.
