How to not practice emotional distancing during social distancing

We’re living in strange times. As we grapple with new and dismaying terms — flattening the curve, social distancing — let me ask a rhetorical question. When you’re “with yourself” do you feel alone? I do sometimes. And then I try to remember three things: the differences between being alone and being lonely, the deep ties that bind us, and the connection I feel when practicing kindness or gratitude.

Being alone versus being lonely

Take a moment to consider these questions:

• What might time alone offer? Is there something about being alone that you fear? Because being by yourself really offers an opportunity for experiencing a rich array of thoughts and feelings: the reliving of shared experiences. You can easily remember the places you’ve been, the people you’ve been with, the feelings you experienced together — all the highs and the lows. Whether we’re together physically or virtually, in these trying times when we do need to practice social distancing, we should avoid unintentionally practicing emotional distancing. We can practice being emotionally connected when we’re alone.
• Whom do I deeply care about? Think about this. Whom do you care about in addition to your own precious self? Take a moment to feel the……

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