There are many ways to think about “wellness” and it looks different for every person.
Before the pandemic hit, I was invited to a total of three weddings in 2020. It was supposed to be the year I got to see friends from my childhood, from my college years, and beyond. Plane tickets were purchased, outfits were picked out, and I was so excited for the opportunity to see people that I haven’t seen in years.
A lot of plans changed after things shut down in March. Everyone had to adapt to a new way of living, where you stay away from the people you care about in order to keep them safe. All three weddings were postponed, and continue to be postponed. I didn’t get to see all the friends I was looking forward to seeing, and it is still unclear when large gatherings will even be possible again.
However, I haven’t been alone during this situation. The entire world is adapting right along with me, and one of the most important ways things are changing is that it is now easier than ever to get in touch with people who aren’t near you. Zoom, FaceTime, messaging apps, social media, phone calls, text messages, and even handwritten letters… Staying in touch with the people I love has been such an important part of my wellness journey over the past year.
I can jump from a conversation with a high school friend in California to sending photos of my dog to a college friend in Pennsylvania. I can send my grandma messages on Facebook while I text an old coworker about whether or not I should dye my hair. The connections that I have kept up with, and even strengthened, over the course of this pandemic have helped me keep my head above water. In fact, I feel like some of my connections have grown even deeper.
I am so grateful that the past year has been marked by physical isolation, but definitely not social isolation. I look forward to the day when all the weddings can be rescheduled and I can laugh with my friends in person, but for now it’s enough to know that everyone I love is only a click away.