I will say this about the quarantine: it has caused many of us to get creative in how we try and stay connected to one another. And honestly, it makes me feel a little bit better knowing that many of my loved ones and even acquaintances are now realizing how important it is to have a community around you. I am a firm believer that we cannot make it through this life alone, and this quarantine has only confirmed it. For many college students, the sudden transformation from school life to staying in one spot was too sudden, with not enough time to properly say good bye to our friends and mentors. With this separation, it is so necessary for us to stay connected and keeping those friendships alive. Here are some fun ways to stay in touch with your people!
Writing little notes
This has been one of my favorite activities when I need to take a break from school work. My mom and I have a secret stash of greeting and thank you cards, and I have been going to town! But don’t feel like you have to buy cards. Simple paper and marker is more than enough. And the great thing is that you can write anything you want! I have been writing puns, poems, and honestly love letters to all of my friends! In the margins of cards and letters I also draw pictures and designs, just to make it spicy, plus it’s a great way to pass more time. And for the final touch, I love to go to town on the envelopes. I personally think it would be so fun to get a letter in the mail with a wild drawing on the front. I’ve drawn ocean, desert and garden scenes. Nothing ever has to be fancy, but if you want to pass more time and make it personal, it just really warms people’s hearts. It doesn’t matter the quality. As they always say, it’s the thought that counts.
Zoom calls
I honestly had never heard of Zoom (did anybody?) before the quarantine, but truly it is one of the best things that has happened to me in regards to video chatting. A pretty simple format, fun backgrounds and a much better video layout than skype, Zoom has been my preferred form of group video calls. And with the screen share options, this can be a great way for people to watch Netflix or YouTube together from the comfort of distancing.
Making gifts and leaving them on the front door
I love giving gifts. It’s one of my favorite things to do right up there with giving words of affirmations. Though with the quarantine it can be hard to actually give gifts. There is a safe way to do it though. For Easter my family and I drove to my nieces’ house with two baskets full of toys, books and games we had from our home school days that we had been planning to give them. When they opened the door, they lost their little minds. As much as I wanted to scoop them up and hug their mom, we had to stay on their lawn. But the joy they had was amazing to see. They were so happy to see us and were so excited to dig into the candy and toys we brought to them. And their mom was more than happy to take things to occupy them.
Sending memes
So simple. Yet so pure. Everyone needs a laugh. Share the love.
Virtual walks
I did this with my friend the other day, and it was honestly really fun. My friend and I scheduled a time to take a walk the next morning, and talk to each other on the phone. Though we are currently living in two vastly different states, it kind of felt like we were right next to each other again. We just talked about out day, how our families were, and about the weather (though she was in 35 degree weather and I was in 95 degree weather). It was something that really made me feel connected to my friend, and we even thought about doing Zoom yoga together!