The power of community… When we think of community we usually think of people physically coming together. Now that we’re experiencing a global need for self-isolation that can be uncomfortable for many people as they are not used to spending time alone and away from their friends, family, and colleagues.
Spending time at home and self-isolating doesn’t have to mean feeling isolated and alone though. One of the things I’ve been observing over the past few weeks is how people are staying connected and even building new communities online.
From employees working from home to students taking their classes online, to local communities offering information and support to each other, what I’m seeing is a huge increase in people coming together in ways they would not have before.
Technology can certainly have its challenges and I think most of us have a love/hate relationship with it – we love it when it’s working and hate it when it’s not! Social media can be used to share disturbing things as well as positive things. What I am finding encouraging though is how people are finding creative ways to use it to come together. For example, I usually have lunch with the same group of friends once a month. Obviously we can’t do that in person this month so we’re going to use Zoom to get together instead. We’ll still have lunch together, we’ll just each be in our own homes.
I’ve heard of people doing this with cocktail hour or getting together in this way for coffee or for book club. My local community has a Facebook group where people share information on what’s happening – everything from what restaurants are open for takeout to where to find toilet paper. If somebody needs something they can ask and somebody will be able to help.
If you live alone and are finding it difficult because you can’t connect with family or friends, explore ways to do this online. If you don’t have anyone you can talk to and feel you don’t have any community, search for one online or create one to meet your needs.
Even if you’re an introvert (like me) you can still find your people. There’s never a need to feel alone.
I’d love to hear what things you’re doing to stay connected. Leave a comment and let me know.
Be Unstoppable!
Linda
Spending time at home and self-isolating doesn’t have to mean feeling isolated and alone though. One of the things I’ve been observing over the past few weeks is how people are staying connected and even building new communities online.
From employees working from home to students taking their classes online, to local communities offering information and support to each other, what I’m seeing is a huge increase in people coming together in ways they would not have before.
Technology can certainly have its challenges and I think most of us have a love/hate relationship with it – we love it when it’s working and hate it when it’s not! Social media can be used to share disturbing things as well as positive things. What I am finding encouraging though is how people are finding creative ways to use it to come together. For example, I usually have lunch with the same group of friends once a month. Obviously we can’t do that in person this month so we’re going to use Zoom to get together instead. We’ll still have lunch together, we’ll just each be in our own homes.
I’ve heard of people doing this with cocktail hour or getting together in this way for coffee or for book club. My local community has a Facebook group where people share information on what’s happening – everything from what restaurants are open for takeout to where to find toilet paper. If somebody needs something they can ask and somebody will be able to help.
If you live alone and are finding it difficult because you can’t connect with family or friends, explore ways to do this online. If you don’t have anyone you can talk to and feel you don’t have any community, search for one online or create one to meet your needs.
Even if you’re an introvert (like me) you can still find your people. There’s never a need to feel alone.
I’d love to hear what things you’re doing to stay connected. Leave a comment and let me know.
Be Unstoppable!
Linda
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