During the pandemic, many people miss their friends, families, and partners. With the current situation requiring many of us to isolate at home and stay put as much as possible, meeting up for drinks or dinner is suddenly available only through social media and screens.
The good news is that nowadays we’re lucky enough to have advanced technology at our disposal and can communicate without the need to spend extra money and waste time on long-distance calls or sending letters. Phones and computers allow us to call, text, and video chat at a moment’s notice. However, some people might still feel like something is missing. If that’s your experience, you can try a few ideas, from starting a book club on Zoom to playing remote board games or picking up a few new hobbies to occupy your time.
Here are a few ideas that go beyond just a phone or video call, so you can stay close and connected with your friends during quarantine.
Join an online class
Taking classes online is one of the best ways to meet new people and make new friends. There are many options out there, and one of the most popular ones seems to be Skillshare. You can choose from over 10,000 classes, so there are plenty of options when it comes to picking an interesting course and staying connected to other people who share your interests.
You can choose to join online art classes, take a photography course, or even go for something connected to personal development. For example, you can use your time in quarantine or self-isolating to learn how to deal with divorce or master some core life skills. The possibilities are endless!
Create a book club on Zoom
This is a great way to stay in touch with your friends. If you have to isolate yourself at home, the book club will be an excellent excuse to get together on Zoom once every two weeks or so, depending on the pace you set for yourself.
Starting a remote book club with your friends is also a fantastic way to discuss new releases with people who have similar interests and enjoy reading as much as you do. You’ll be able to keep yourself entertained, and you’ll have something to look forward to, which will make the quarantine more bearable.
Play board games
This is a great way to break the ice and feel like you’re meeting up with your friends again. It’s a fun activity that can help you stay close to your loved ones even when you can’t physically meet up with them.
You can also play with strangers by going on websites dedicated to simple online games such as checkers or chess. If you ever want to play on your own, you can try switching to card games such as solitaire.
Start a blog
Writing about your life during quarantine is becoming increasingly popular among people trying to cope with the situation. Writing about your experiences might be a therapeutic and engaging way to connect with other people with similar circumstances, and it gives you something interesting to share with friends who know you’re in quarantine.
Create a Facebook group
This is another idea that can work well when you’re unable to meet up with friends in person or don’t have time to commit to a weekly meeting or book club. Facebook groups are usually safe and easy ways to connect with like-minded people who have the same interests as you do.
You can start a group, invite your friends, and post content that you find interesting and relevant. It’s a great way to keep in touch with your friend circle if, despite staying in quarantine, you still find yourself leading a busy lifestyle.
Join a fitness class
If you feel like your body and mind need a good workout but don’t have the opportunity to go to the gym, try joining live fitness classes with your friends on Zoom. There are so many different classes available online right now, from yoga to mindfulness exercises to dance moves, that you’re sure to find something that will excite you!
Discover what’s happening in the world
Just because you’re staying at home doesn’t mean that you should ignore what’s going on in the world around you. While watching the news may be stressful, staying informed is essential and can help you feel more prepared for any new situations.
Try checking out news sources online or watching episodes of educational shows. You can also start listening to podcasts, which are a great way to learn something new while relaxing at home in your pajamas. Browse some podcasts on topics that interest you and listen to them while taking care of your daily chores.
Conclusion
It’s been nearly two years since the pandemic began, and people have spent most of that time isolated at home due to strict regulations. Some of us switched to working from home or chose to self-isolate to stay as safe as possible. However, it can be hard to stay close to people when you’re in a situation that limits your ability to interact with them.
Luckily, the modern world has made it easier than ever to stay in touch, whether it’s via text messages or video chat. No matter what you choose to do, make sure that you’re making the most of the time you have and spending it in fulfilling ways.