COVID and Politics equals loneliness and social isolation

 What a miserable combination!  An epidemic that isolated the globe, and political differences that split up the few people we have in our lives. Where do we begin again? 

I think with the few people in our lives, regarding political differences,  it's time to say, "Let's agree to disagree and let it go." How would you word it? 

Meanwhile, GET OUT of the house. Put your mask on, and go for a public walk in a park, to the grocery store, practice eye-contact (that's all they can see). Try it at home- look in a mirror, put your mask on, and try smiling with your eyes. Medical workers have been doing this for years, to put patients at ease, because they have always been masked. Nod and say "Hi".  

Pat yourself on the back for trying. It's very hard if you're depressed to get moving.  Say,  "Good for me!  I went for a walk for 10 minutes instead of staying at home. I said 'hi' to one person!" Say it out loud, because it helps to imprint it on the brain. 

Tell me about yourself!

Open-ended questions don't work for people who experience social anxiety. We don't have instant recall of our own personal history.  So- when someone says, "Tell me something about yourself,,,,", a blank slate appears. "Well, I was born, I grew up and here I am..", doesn't help your conversation advance. Also we're inclined to view anything we might say as dull and boring. 

Practice starting with an overview, for example "Well, before COVID I worked at such and such a place, I moved here from ......., and right now I'm learning how to play..... ".  Saying something specific gives them a chance to comment on that specific that you wouldn't mind talking about. It triggers their memory. It's kind of like fishing-you throw out some bait- maybe they'll bite, maybe they won't." But how can they know if you don't throw it out there for a potential bite. And you've deposited it where you wouldn't mind if they said, "Gee, I like raising worms, too!"  You never know!

COVID19 and Loneliness 2021

Happy New Year to all of you!  You can build relationships; how you are now does NOT mean it's permanent. Perhaps being out of the workplace  made you see that your friendships were only from the office.  Maybe you never had to initiate anything because you were passively included in social outings. 

Becoming aware  is part of problem-solving. What would you like your life to be like at the end of 2021? This is the time to dream without limitations. It's a new year, a new beginning and think about where you would like to be at the end of 2021. I'll help you get there. Ask me any question or share a problem. Warm wishes to all of you!