Hello everyone!
Though we can’t exactly go out and meet with people at this time, it is still important to check in with other people. To hear that I would be social distancing for a while came in two waves. The first one was: oh no, I’m going to miss my friends and family so much! I won’t see my cousin on her first birthday. Dad won’t have his planned party. Second one: yes, no crowds! Don’t have to put up with other people’s ignorance or loud voices. More time for reading.
Even before isolation, my most valued socialising was that with characters of books. However, I must admit that I miss my friends. So I like to check in with them! There are many ways I maintain contact with the outside world. I’d just like to share a few of those ideas, in case you’d like to try them for yourself.
- Play a video game, like Animal Crossing, and compete online with each other.
- Create a collaborative playlist on Spotify, then use a 30 day song challenge to fill it up.
- Video call (or just audio if your wi-fi is bad like mine!)
- Want to get in shape? Try a workout challenge but get your best friend to do it with you! Hold each other accountable over text or even video call while working out.
- Reach out to new people on Instagram, then start conversation in their DMs.
- Post more on your story, so people know what you’re up to.
- Start communication through letters (emails would be the most hygienic way!)
- Start communication in a different language! Perhaps write to an overseas penpal, or challenge a friend to learn with you.
- Buddy read! Check out online book clubs or even do it with someone you know already.
- Netflix parties are really fun, and you don’t have to use your mouth – just type.
- Ask random questions to start text conversation.
- Plan an event for when isolation is over (but of course don’t book anything)
- Start a blog and socialise with people over the Internet.
- Begin a competition – who can read the most pages in a day? How long can you study for at a time? Make sure it’s something constructive that will motivate you.
- Finally, just phone someone up. Though we don’t do much of that these days, we ought to. Reach out to an elderly family member (or someone who can’t access the Internet!)
Thank you for reading my ideas. Hope you caught some inspiration from them! Don’t forget that today is social Saturday, so try one of them out. Or, like me, just socialise with the pages of books… Anyway to get in touch with other people is really beneficial to your own mental health and theirs. I especially love the question: how are you?
How are you genuinely feeling today? What will you do to get talking with someone this Saturday?
Take care of yourselves! We only have one day left of the launch for The Positivity Project. Tomorrow is self-care Sunday. Hope you join in with me 🙂
erin x
Throughout these difficult times, a group of my friends on Instagram decided to form The Positivity Project. Created by Emily, this project aims for people to be more happy even in the most difficult circumstances. To launch this project, I will be posting every single day this week: updating you on the recent prompts and how to complete them. I would like you to head on over to Emily’s blog (and Instagram) because she is the amazing person who create this idea. Let us both know how you’re staying positive in the comments of this post! Or go a step further and tag us in photos on Instagram.
The Ecolytical 
Definitely doing some of these tomorrow!!! I think I’ll reach out to new people on Instagram. It was something I was really excited about when I first started, but as I’m extremely introverted, was hesitant. Great post, thank you!
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Hope you find some great new Instagrammers! There’s a huge community out there. It’s very draining for me to reply to DMs and comments, though they always make me smile so it’s worth it! Don’t allow introversion to get in your way. I prefer texting over everything else, and only phone for my grandparents (they don’t have phones!) Have a beautiful day ❤
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Great tips Erin. I especially love the 30 day song challenge ❤ I had more things to say but everything vanished when I saw Fangirl… me now chewing on my nail and green with envy…
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Thank you very much, Jessica! I hope you can try it out. Did you really enjoy Fangirl? First time around I wasn’t a big fan, though re-reading it this year has completely changed me mind. I love it! Hope you’re having a great weekend ❤
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No I haven’t read it 😦 but it’s been in my TBR for a long time. I just wish to read it in paperback I’m tired of ebooks at the moment.
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When you finally get around to it, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it! I’ve never tried eBooks and currently I’m re-reading all the books on my shelves. When you finally get your hands on it it’s going to feel amazing!
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The main way I communicate is through playstaion parties, partially because I don’t have the switch app to talk to people. As of typing this, I just got done with a couple hours of Rainbow Six Siege with my mates.
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That’s great! I’m glad you can still be having fun with your friends, despite the circumstances. Other than Minecraft, I don’t play video games! Hope you’re having a great weekend 🙂
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Loved this post! I’ve been facetiming my friends and I’m going to phone my granny tonight to hear what she’s been up to xxx
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Thank you so much! Hope you have a lovely conversation with your Granny. Stay safe! x
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I hope these can help make you feel a little more connected, you’ve made some great suggestions. By the way, what’s a Netflix party?? I feel old having to ask this 😂
Hope you’re having a safe, restful weekend xx
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Aha, I’ve never tried the Netflix party but my friends have been doing it. It’s an extension on your Chrome browser, so that you can watch a film on Netflix but have a live chat with your friends in the corner. Have a lovely weekend too 🙂
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Love all of these ideas, I feel inspired! ☺️ I’m doing ok at the moment thank you, how are you? Today I chatted with my friends, and one of my friends is working on a quiz for us to do on FaceTime tomorrow, which I’m actually kinda excited for! 💛
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I’m glad they inspired you! Thank you for the love on my posts recently. I sincerely appreciate every comment. I’m doing alright, though today has been super lazy. I forgive myself for it though because sometimes it’s nice to have a break (school begins tomorrow ahh). Good luck with the quiz! Try your best to win ❤
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These are all really great ways to stay in touch with people especially for people who may need to socialize more or are feeling down about the situation.
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Thank you, Pooja. I really appreciate it! I’m naturally quote hesitant about talking to people however it is lovely to phone up a loved one. Especially those living alone!
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OMG, I love Fangirl so much!!! Great post;)
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It’s one of my new favourites! Thank you for all of your comments lately 🙂 I really appreciate it ❤
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Aww, your welcome💕 Your posts are always a ton of fun to read and lol, we have so many things in common
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These are all great ideas, thanks for sharing! 😀 While I do value and enjoy time alone, I’m a super social person, and I get my energy from talking with friends and having fun moments. That’s partly why I’m in so many university groups, too. So I miss all of that, and the contact with other human beings lol. Technologies are great because I keep texting people and even earlier today I video chatted my friends from French class and we spent more than three hours doing homework together. Blogging is also a blessing because I can keep ranting about my life and talking with all of my online friends. I do have a penpal and we share e-mails, but I’ve just joined a penpal project (with actual letters). Talking in another language (that’s not Portuguese or English, that is) is something that seems really cool, but I’m sure self-conscious of how badly I speak French and German XD
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When around friends I do get slightly energetic, but it does tire me. And I’ve not video called any of them because I’m so busy, though I’ve been texting. Blogging is a lot of fun, and it’s great to talk with you! Interaction with people online is fascinating.
I’m sure your French and German are better than you think! Je parle juste un peu de français et ma langue maternelle – anglais. Bonne journée ❤
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