Reconnecting with Friends after COVID and Quarantine

Reestablishing Your Social Network after the Pandemic

As humans, we are social animals—even if we’re simply sharing an experience, such as a concert or football game. The Coronavirus pandemic changed all that. For those of us who were willing to go out at all, we experienced the world through a mask…literally…and we typically kept our distance.

Now that world health officials believe that we are finally moving toward ending the pandemic, many of us find ourselves struggling to find that sweet spot we used to have with friends and acquaintances. Mental health experts say the challenges are typically greater when those relationships were more focused on doing than communicating. We could still talk by phone, email or text messages, but we lost the connect that comes from shooting hoops or catching a show with someone.

As we start to reach out to others, here are some tips from mental health professionals to ease the transition:

· Take the initiative—There’s a misperception that friendships simply happen. The truth is that they almost always entail active steps. Call a friend or stop by their house. Invite them to a concert or over to watch a game.

· Assume that you are liked—Psychologists say we can be our own worst enemies, worrying that others might not like us. That can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, as we fail to do the things that can help us build friendships.

· Make regular plans with a friend—Schedule a regular Saturday morning bike ride or agree to have lunch once a week. Having a regular event planned in advance removes the anxiety about initiating contact.

· Be upfront about everyone’s health concerns—You may not think a mask is necessary, but your friend may disagree. Don’t assume and don’t impose. If you really want to reconnect, you’ll be willing to make some compromises.

· Don’t worry if you feel awkward—Chances are everyone will feel that way at first. Look at your relationships with friends as something you haven’t practiced in a while. It may take a little bit of time to get your groove back.

Rebuilding friendships that have been affected by the pandemic can be difficult, but ultimately rewarding. It may take some effort, but you’ll likely find that it’s worth it.