Due to the pandemic, the last two years have seen an extended sociological isolation that has left many feeling alienated from the life they knew before. However, the period has also been fruitful in making many truly come into their own selves, with the help of rediscovering their hobbies or finding inspiration through self-exploration.
The past year has been a rollercoaster ride for almost everyone. The pandemic has left many completely disconnected from their friends and family. While it has been tough to tackle the loneliness and yearning that the year has brought with it, these five things have helped many stay afloat amidst the toughest of times.
Reaching Out To Internet Groups
The Internet for a long time has been a point of contention for a lot of people. While many speak of the demerits associated with it, very few speak of the ways in which the internet has created a space of solidarity for people.
Platforms like Twitter or Discord have been able to provide a platform that is able to provide virtual networks of solidarity to people.
Many people have found a place to share their mental health concerns that they may not have anywhere else. In some places, the internet has also provided a great way to support queer identities and expressions.
For example, Twitter fandoms for musical groups like the Kpop one, BTS, has created a safe space for many young individuals to express themselves. This has created a way to tackle the loneliness that many had been facing.
Chilling With Pets: Miracles On Paws
Animals have been a source of comfort for humans ever since the pandemic began. Many have chosen to find companionship through animals during the pandemic.
This has not only helped humans find a space of solace but also helped many animals get adopted. Animal rights activists have for long advocated for adoption rather than purchasing purebreds.
The pandemic created a beautiful bridge for humans and animals to be codependent on each other.
Accessing Virtual Mental Health Care
Mental health care has been a privilege that very few have been able to access. However, with the onset of the pandemic, many therapists have opened up slots to clients with minimal or no fees.
This has helped many find a space of comfort and understanding that they have not been able to find in their homes. This is especially true of those who have been stuck at abusive homes.
Moreover, therapy has also been a great way for queer individuals who have not come out to their families. The pandemic did not just shut off people from physical contact but also spaces of support.
Queer individuals who could find a safe space for themselves in colleges or workspaces found themselves stuck in an alien surrounding. Therapy was especially beneficial for them.
Signing Up For Online Courses
Rediscovering hobbies and interests was a huge part of tackling loneliness this year. While colleges and schools opted for the offline mode, many individuals found space to explore their hobbies in a much deeper way.
For example, numerous people started looking for online courses that would help them refine their artistic skills.
Spending time on these courses helped them spend their time in a much more productive manner. This also allowed them to think about ways in which they could express their feelings through art, writing, poetry or song writing.
Honing their skills also created a better headspace for them through which they were able to deal with social alienation in a healthier manner.
Bingeing Content On OTT Platforms
Cultural productions have always created an escape for people. This became more heightened during the pandemic. While these platforms also saw a huge increase in shows and movies, audiences were also enthusiastic at the prospect of finishing these productions.
Shows like “Squid Game” were especially successful to the extent where it caused a huge impact on internet users. 2021 has been a similar journey, where many often felt one day was no different from the other.
However, we were able to find unique spaces to help ourselves deal with the hopelessness of the year in impactful ways. As the year comes to an end, these spaces continue to uphold our collective thought processes and sail us through it, to see a new year begin.