Introverted by the pandemic?
This is how you make new friends again after working from home and lockdown
Approaching new people and making friends – that could be a challenge for many even before the pandemic.
Friendships are not only good for us mentally, but also physically. But how can we make new acquaintances – especially after the pandemic?
After endless online meetings, fancy events and short walks outside, it’s only natural that returning to the “normal” world can be difficult. Making new contacts can become a real challenge – after all, we’ve had to do that less often in the last two years.
New contacts after the pandemic: How can this be easier?
Roger Patulny, professor of sociology at the University of Wollongong, Australia, says: In the pandemic we “got very serious”. This means that we tend to concentrate on a few but very deep relationships. Making and maintaining casual acquaintances has not been a priority for many in recent months. While that means we may have deepened some friendships, we’re a little out of practice when it comes to reaching out to new people.
Maybe you know it too: As the easing of restrictions progresses, the desire to go out more often and build up social contact comes back. At the same time, we would also like to cuddle within our own four walls – and we are “caught” between two extremes. You can see in the video how the “return” can take place and how you can approach new people more openly.
Sources used: verywellmind.com, theguardian.com, vogue.com