Tips on Being Social Again
President Biden says that by the Fourth of July, life in the United States will resemble something like normal. States are offering vaccines to anyone 16 and older. Students are returning to in-person learning, and some companies are talking about bringing employees back to the office.
Ready or not, change is coming. After more than a year of staying six feet apart, and staying home, many people have mixed emotions about transitioning back to what was “normal.”
Here are tips on how to transition smoothly back to our pre-pandemic social lives.
Go at Your Own Pace
- It’s important to continue to monitor coronavirus risks in your area. If you’re uncomfortable taking what you believe is a risk, don’t do it. Do only what feels safe to you.
- Go at your own pace. It doesn’t matter what anybody else feels comfortable doing. Set boundaries that you’re comfortable with. You don’t have to return to your pre-pandemic social life right away.
Remember What Worked and Keep It
- Remember what felt good and worked for you before the pandemic and at the beginning of the pandemic.
- Take time and think about avoiding situations that feel stressful.
Support Your Loved Ones and Be Kind to Yourself
- Meet people where they are. Some people aren’t ready to outwardly celebrate the end of the pandemic.
- Don’t judge yourself for moving at your own speed. And don’t judge others. If you’re ready to go out but a friend isn’t, be kind.
- Be kind to yourself, and your own feelings. If you’re having difficulty being kind to yourself, talk to yourself like you’re talking to your own best friend. You know, the one you’d be kind to.
Judgement Free Mindset
- Whether you agree or disagree, remember that everyone has a right to choose what they’re willing to do or not do, including wearing a mask outside, or not wearing a mask.
- Be kind and let’s respect each other.
- Listen more and talk less.
- Be open to hearing what people have to say.
Lisa Bien is a motivational speaker and coach whose column appears twice a month on Woman Around Town. For more information on Lisa, go to her website.
Top photo: Lisa Bien and some friends getting back to dining out!
