How COVID-19 Has Impacted The Way We Approach Relationships: A Message on Pre vs. Post-COVID Connections.
Over the course of the past five months, COVID-19 has affected almost every aspect of our lives. While we adapt to a new normal, we tend to overlook how our connections with friends and family have been impacted. Before March, you were able to maintain relationships through social gatherings and coincidental run-ins. However, when the possibility of in-person social interaction is taken out of the equation, you are given plenty of time to think and re-think one’s personal connections. While that may exacerbate existing problems or highlight strong bonds, we are forced to put thoughtful time into our relationships with friends and family.
My sister, a recent college graduate, said something that really resonated with me on this topic. She explained, “In a time of crisis, all aspects of meaningful relationships become more clear.” I have realized that over the past few months, with so much time for self-reflection, the connections you have with people retreat to their “simplest form.” With limited everyday distractions, I have found myself pouring more time and effort into connections that mean the most to me. My long-time friend, Charlotte (someone I have been able to reconnect with during quarantine), noted that her friends and family were taking time to show gratitude, through letters, short messages or notes, as they have recognized and appreciated people in their lives.
While post-COVID connection highlights the good, I would argue it also highlights complications in relationships. When discussing this topic with close friends, they expressed that while COVID has deepened their already strong bonds, it has also forced them to address existing issues. With the distractions of “normal” life, it is easy to look past things that are bothersome. However, when faced with time for self-reflection, these “issues” bubble to the surface.
While this might sound negative, I mean to highlight that whether COVID brings up the good or the bad in a relationship, overall, it might allow for a deeper connection after it’s over. We are given this truly valuable time to both mend and build connections that may have otherwise been overlooked. This shift in perspective creates an opportunity to adopt a new “post-COVID mindset” that challenges connections to be more significant and authentic.
