The Loneliness Pandemic: Cured
From high school and college to transitioning into adulthood, we experience so much growth throughout these monumental steps—and we never go through them alone. On the contrary, we are constantly accompanied by family and friends. Regardless of what stage you’re in, the coronavirus pandemic has made making friends more difficult than ever before. From not being able to see a person’s smile to being more than six feet apart at all times, connecting with people has become an *actual* sport. It is important to remember to not be discouraged in this new way of life.
Below, we have listed a couple of ways to stay connected, chat with friends, and make new ones along the way.
Bumble App: “BFF Edition”
You may be wondering: isn't Bumble a dating app? Well, yes. However, if you’re not interested in dating and on the market for a friend, Bumble provides the option of using the “BFF Edition”! This feature has the same layout as the dating preference, but both sides of the party are looking for a fun, platonic friendship.
Connecting through GroupMe
Connecting with friends has never been easier than through the “GroupMe'' app. This app gives people the opportunity to join different groups with friends, like a regular messaging app does, however it can specifically cater to what your interests are. Additionally, if you’re in an organization or an event, it can group people together conveniently. Staying connected with this app through the ongoing pandemic provides the opportunity to create more friendships along the way and, with its many features like creating polls or events, helps develop a friendly environment where making decisions is practical and stress-free.
Don’t be afraid to reach out and get out of your comfort zone!
With trying times like these, you have to get out of your comfort zone in order to make friends. Being in a pandemic is not ideal for anyone, but friends and family can make all the difference. If you see someone on social media that you think you’ll mesh with, don’t be afraid to reach out! When reaching out, start by being super inviting with something like: “Hey! I have seen you on my feed and you seem like a great person to be friends with.” All you have to do is get out of your comfort zone.
There’s no doubt that COVID life has been very difficult and rough for everyone. Making friends is all the more tough when there isn’t the option to meet in person. We don’t have to face it alone though. Remember that there are many people feeling the exact same way as you, so try to get out of your comfort zone and take the initiative to start making new connections.
Written by Madison Corley & Alexa Ojeda, Design by Lili Sullivan, Media by Josh Carley