Three Ways to Make the Best of Social Isolation

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), many people find themselves in social isolation, not sure how to pass the time. After several video calls with family and friends, and working remotely during the week, you might feel a wave of boredom coming up. During social isolation, it is important to focus on the leisure activities that make you happy. Social distancing might even give you the time to focus on learning new things, pick up a hobby from the past, or join online games and activities with your friends and family.

Learn New Things

Living in social isolation can make you feel frustrated and like you’re not doing anything important. During this time, it can be helpful to concentrate on things that you like doing, or always wanted to do but that you never had the time for. Even though it might seem challenging in the beginning, try to fill your day with different activities. While your old day-to-day routines hardly allow enough space for creativity, now is the time to experiment, to learn, and do things that you’ve always wanted to do. This could be learning how to play an instrument or picking up a new language.

When learning a new language, apps such as Memrise, Duolingo, and HelloTalk can be a first step. Besides that, try to start using the language every day and learn about the culture and history of the respective country. You might not become fluent, but it’ll give you an insight into a country or region that you may have always wanted to visit and a reason to plan a trip for the future.

Create a Bucket List

Social isolation can force you to reconsider what life is really about, what is important to you, and what you have always dreamed of.

We are all thrown back to ourselves in these challenging times. Try to think about the things you enjoy and things that you can invest in to help yourself get through this tough period. To turn your negative thoughts and feelings of being socially isolated into something positive, it can help to take some time to put your goals, dreams, and aspirations on a bucket list.

Depending on your interests, the items on your list can be anything, ranging from learning how to kitesurf, gardening, playing an instrument (e.g. guitar or piano), or daring to go bungee jumping.

Even though many of these activities will probably have to wait until later, now is a great time to get started on your bucket list. Planning things that you always wanted to do will give you something to look forward to after the social isolation.

While creating an inspiring bucket list, it is important to come up with things that are meaningful to you, things that inspire you to wake up each morning feeling happy and excited. Everything that is meaningful to you should be on your bucket list, because even the smallest accomplishments can be a great achievement.

Join Activities Remotely

Taking part in online activities can also make your time at home more fulfilling. If you are looking for ways to socialize from your own home as much as possible, there are a couple ways to do that. You can set up scheduled video chats with your friends, family, or colleagues or organize a morning breakfast or a remote skype lunch. Social isolation also gives you the time to play online video games if this is something you enjoy.

Finally, you can also join many InterNations Official Events and Activities remotely. For example, the Munich Spirituality Group is hosting online mediations on Zoom. You can look up more activities in your community’s calendar.