How to Become a (Safely) Social Person Again After COVID Lockdowns
/
It's time to reemerge from pandemic isolation and rebuild a social life while continuing to take necessary precautions
It’s spring, and the season is blooming with added excitement in 2021. After more than a year of being shut in, getting out and about a little is a welcome change.
If you are feeling somewhat anxious along with a bit of spring fever, take comfort in the fact that you're not alone. About half of people surveyed by the American Psychological Association face anxiety about what is being called a “return to normal.”
In anticipation of mass vaccinations making ordinary social interactions possible once again, here are some tips for reentering society if your social skills are rusty.
Start by reconsidering what defines “normal”
Although many experts and the U.S. President are targeting July 4th as the official date for widespread (but safe) social engagement, “pre-pandemic normalcy” will take much longer to attain—if it is even completely possible. Since so many people have admitted to feeling “socially regressed” during this past year, taking small steps toward becoming entirely social again makes sense.
Taking a year off from group interaction may have caused previously outgoing and over-scheduled people to reevaluate their “old life” and what is important to them. There is no need to rush back into previous habits. Many individuals may not feel safe in large group settings again soon. And the CDC's guidelines for attending gatherings are still pretty conservative, even for those who have been fully vaccinated.
Also, individual interpretations of “safe” and “normal” will vary. Remember to increase your tolerance levels when confronted by people with different views. Similarly, everyone’s experience of the pandemic is unique, from financial situations to degrees of personal loss. Not everyone will resurface on the same schedule.
Clean house, literally and figuratively
For those who are ready to reemerge, perhaps a bit of housekeeping is in order. While some of the home-bound became involved in ambitious makeovers of their dwellings, many chose to neglect aspects of their surroundings that would remain unseen by visitors.
Take this time to purge your home of pandemic-induced junk and give yourself the feeling of a clean slate. If you are not ready to welcome guests, do it for yourself. The mental health benefits of a clean space are well-documented and significant.
In addition to your home, you may benefit from a personal makeover. It’s an excellent time to start wearing “work” clothes again, and perhaps a trip to the salon is in order. Remake yourself mentally as well. Practicing mindfulness is a perfect way to prepare to reenter the world.
Create a new routine
Take this time to build some new, healthy habits if your pandemic lifestyle was less active and more “food-centered” than in pre-COVID days. Introduce activities slowly and focus on those you truly missed and are within or close to your comfort zone.
Try to reorganize your daily schedule to allow for more social interactions. For those who have returned to an office, take the opportunity to reconnect personally with colleagues you may have been working with virtually or not interacted with at all over the "break."
It's OK to start small: for example, begin by arranging to see the people you’ve missed most during this past year and doing things you enjoy that were previously off-limits for safety reasons.
Rely on some social interaction hacks
It’s common to feel that the ability to make small talk has withered from lack of use and a year of limited human contact has destroyed the social skills you spent your life developing. Luckily, psychologists have discovered several tricks to make social interactions more comfortable. Not all apply today—no need to “warm your hands,” because handshakes may become a relic of pre-COVID days—but “leaving on a high note” and “repeating someone’s name in conversation” are timeless.
Also, did you know that purposely asking a question that “intentionally assumes incorrect data” is a great way to get someone to talk? It’s been (sadly) proven that many people are more eager to join a conversation to correct someone than contribute something spontaneously.
It is also time to cut yourself and everyone else in your social network some well-deserved slack. Nothing about this past year has been effortless, and there is no reason to believe that things will magically resume in a few months.
But with some confidence, it’s possible to move forward and make the most of opportunities to engage with others in this newly safer world.
Carrington Legal Search is celebrating 20 years in business: we were in the trenches with our clients during 9/11 and 2008. We partner with our clients to identify leaders and mission-critical talent to shore up and grow companies even during the most challenging times. We are here for you! To make our nationwide network work for you, get in touch at 512-627-7467 or email carrie@carringtonlegal.com.