Four months and counting. That is how long the world has been in isolation. But, because we (or at least, some of us) are practicing what I like to call social incubating that does not mean that we can’t connect with others, start new working relationships and build friendships.
Since quarantine began, I’ve expanded my daytime business hours, started facilitating a virtual mindfulness-based support group, talked to the media 3 dozen times about anxiety, PTSD, stress and diversity in the workplace, signed on 2 new coaching clients and possibly, a third, with someone who lives in South Africa. And I am about to launch my book to the world.
I know everyone cannot organize themselves in a stressful time, nor should that be everyone else’s goal. Heck! I didn’t know when I started staying home all the time what more I could do. At best, I knew that I wanted to at least continue seeing my clients and working with them on their goals as long as they were committed to doing the same. Fortunately, they proved they are.
It’s not easy to do all that we have to do, then listen to someone advise that we add new things to do online, but are we preventing further mental decline by being inflexible? We are social beings. We need human contact, and not always the same contact. So, how do we learn to live in this time with more patience and pliability, while also being willing to build relationships with people in other ways?
I’ve studied people over the past 20 years (professionally, at least) and noticed the following things happen when people connect to mutually beneficial relationships, including during this time:
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- People tend to feel less isolated and alone.
- People find common interests with people they may not have met under different circumstances.
- People report feeling happier when they make a genuine connection with like-minded people.
- People have multiple ways to learn new things from other people.
- At times, people build new connections through the ones they initially built.
- At times, people gain access to study something new, or travel, or link to employment opportunities.
- Sometimes, people make a love connection.
- People may open themselves up to the chance to possibly introduce their skills, services, or products to a new group of people.
- At times, people gain accountability partners.
- People develop excitement and anticipation to see someone else and do something else.
- People tend to feel less isolated and alone.
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If you did one thing a day or one thing a week off this list, how different do you think your life would be in a month or even three months from now? Maybe it is time you start creating new goals for the next 30 days. Where would you like to begin? Write down 1-3 new activities or goals you would like to complete over the next 30-90 days, post your goals where you will be able to see them. Go to those posts twice a day—morning and night. How many tasks will you give yourself to do that’s reasonable and realistic for the day and week? At the end of each week, revisit your goals, and cross off the things you completed. If anything is left incomplete, put it on the next week’s schedule at the top. Let’s see what you notice in 30 days.
In case you need more inspiration, check out this podcast I was on called Jacent’s Gems where we talked about minding your own business.
*This blog is about becoming free. It’s a reflection of introspective thoughts and experiences that have crossed miles of self-discovery. I created this blog to inspire others to live life with less self-criticism, judgment and openness to new experiences. May you find that you learn how to live a life by design and on your own terms!*