In dire need of socialization! Isolation stinks!

[Maddie2]

Ok, there, I said it! I am SO tired of my 4 walls! I won't go into detail, but just wondering what you all do to add socialization to your day when you are stuck indoors? Not even the sun has been out for several days and that definitely has an impact on my mood.

Do you know of any fun Zoom groups? Podcasts and tv shows are fine, but LIVEstreams and the ability to interact are so much better. I have a few friends and family members to FaceTime with, but I need more!

Can anyone relate?

 

[BrianL]

I understand how you feel. Honsetly, at first I was very strict about not seeing anybody, but I will see close friends now - being generally careful and only with people who I believe are being careful/responsible. I understand not everyone is comfortable with that, but I live alone and I don't see anyone all week, I don't have much of a problem having one friend over to hang out on the weekend.

I'm happy to chat if you want. DIS is definitely one of my primary social outlets - that's why I'm here, like, ALL the time!

 

[cabanafrau]

Ok, there, I said it! I am SO tired of my 4 walls! I won't go into detail, but just wondering what you all do to add socialization to your day when you are stuck indoors? Not even the sun has been out for several days and that definitely has an impact on my mood.

Do you know of any fun Zoom groups? Podcasts and tv shows are fine, but LIVEstreams and the ability to interact are so much better. I have a few friends and family members to FaceTime with, but I need more!

Can anyone relate?

When the weather was warmer I was getting together with friends occasionally at parks for walks or we would set up chairs spaced out in circles or whatever to socialize outdoors safely. Now that winter is here that's stopped and everything is phone, text, online. I have really been dreading this winter -- and worrying a lot about my mom and other elderly folks who weren't even doing much during the nice weather. I can tell it's had a toll on me, and I really see it with my mom and even have difficulty trying to keep her very engaged because neither one of us has much news to share when we talk. I can even see the effects on my twenty-something daughters who realize they have to be responsible and follow safety protocols so they don't get sick and interrupt either career for one or college semester for the other.

 

[Maddie2]

Hello to both of you! This is a great place to chat and talk to people and I've very much appreciated it! I haven't been on these message boards much for quite some time as we don't have any Disney vacations planned, but I'm glad to have rediscovered it! I think many of us are feeling the winter and covid times blues. Just getting to spring and being outdoors will be an improvement and hopefully by then we will have the vaccine! With such cloudy weather this past few days, I'll be happy to just see sunshine .... hopefully by Monday.

 

[low-key]

I like the dis, it fits me just right

 

[disneychrista]

I like the dis, it fits me just right

The DIS is the most social thing I do most days.

 

[macraven]

The Dis is the only social thing I do

 

[tvguy]

Well, while I am home alone, no issue with socialization. I'm linked with my co-workers on Zoom for 6 or 7 hours a day. People that used to be in another part of the building, or out in the field, right there on my computer screen We socialize more now than we ever did when we were in the building together.. All 20 of us. Actually, there are times I turn off my camera because I want some privacy!
Realistically, I think Zoom will be a permanent part of my work routine after the pandemic is over. No having to call someone, or track them down if they aren't at their desk. They are all right there, and can respond instantly. And in TV news you need instant responses many times.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

I’m in a few Dungeons & Dragons groups with friends and acquaintances over Zoom. It’s been so helpful to socialize but with a purpose so you can really play with anyone- not just close friends.

Roll20 is a site that many use and you can find ones to join.

I know, I know.... I’m really showing my nerdy side here but D&D this entire time has saved my sanity! Animal Crossing (on the Nintendo Switch) is also really fun and there’s a lot of Reddit groups where you can trade items, look at shooting stars together, etc. I logged like 700 hours on that game back in Spring... it was a good way to escape and such a nice community of folks play.

I’m a single mom working from home so I’ve had to get creative to ever talk to adults.

 

[White Cat]

Ok, there, I said it! I am SO tired of my 4 walls! I won't go into detail, but just wondering what you all do to add socialization to your day when you are stuck indoors? Not even the sun has been out for several days and that definitely has an impact on my mood.

Do you know of any fun Zoom groups? Podcasts and tv shows are fine, but LIVEstreams and the ability to interact are so much better. I have a few friends and family members to FaceTime with, but I need more!

Can anyone relate?

I cannot relate. We continue to live our life, it hasn’t really changed drastically. Beach, malls hiking, biking, swimming, zoo, eating out , visit my parents even international travel. Just be careful and get out.

 

[hsmamato2]

I rely on Zoom get togethers. Try to get some friends or family on board,and play games together. It's lots of fun. I do see some folks in person, usually outdoors somewhere (its nice to see friends IRL) If you have 1-2 friends or someone who's willing to play, there' online game list generators for scattergories,etc. (just google that) I also bought some jackbox games for my computer,and play those with friends from time to time.

 

[antmaril]

I understand completely. Other than two short visits with my son (around Christmas), I have not socialized in person with another human being since Halloween. It is very difficult. Of course, that doesn’t include the 2.5 months I was totally alone from mid March to early June.

All I can say is that I have set my mind that this is how it has to be for now and that I will get through it. I text, email and call my friends & family to stay connected. My relationships are strong and they will survive this. My goal is for all of us to survive it.

In a non-COVID world, I would be boarding a beautiful cruise ship today headed to the Caribbean. Oh well, maybe next year.

 

[hsmamato2]

Oh,OP, also gonna add, if you don't know anyone personally to zoom with, you could try FB groups, I know there are some local ones near me where folks get together to hike etc. Even in winter they do it. OR probably other places there to find zoom friends too I'm guessing.

 

[paisleys]

Volunteering at our local animal shelter has saved me. When things shut down in March, I lost my position. I stayed on their site and as operations slowly resumed, I got back in by transporting animals for them. I ultimately a spot at the main shelter where I work alone (aside from the animals) a few hours a week. Our shelter has VERY strict Covid procedures and I am usually working alone with animals so I feel safe. However, people are working across the way in the main area so we wave and chat occasionally. Now I have a whole new network of friends from the shelter Facebook site--plus I know most of the cats and dogs by name and personality! Highly recommend finding something like this if you feel isolated.

 

[JenBush]

I second looking into volunteering or even a part time job if your schedule and comfort level allows. I’m an “essential worker” and being able to have in person, not zoom, conversations with coworkers and patients throughout this has saved my sanity.

 

[BadPinkTink]

The isolation was very hard for me at the start. Now though , with each passing day, as the numbers keep increasing and the deaths are rising and the hospitals are in crisis, I have a different view. Every day in isolation with the only human contact the people in my household, is a day that keeps me and the people of my household safe from Covid. I will not play Russian Roulette with my health and the health of people in my household. Every day in isolation is a day that I don't fear Covid. I know I am Covid free, I know the people in household are Covid free and we intend to stay that way. I did not get Covid in 2020, members of my household did not get Covid in 2020, and we plan to remain Covid free for 2021 and get the vaccine as soon as it is available to us.

Instead of seeing your home as prison keeping you inside, see it as a sanctuary, keeping Covid outside

 

[ImprovGal]

Ok, there, I said it! I am SO tired of my 4 walls! I won't go into detail, but just wondering what you all do to add socialization to your day when you are stuck indoors? Not even the sun has been out for several days and that definitely has an impact on my mood.

Do you know of any fun Zoom groups? Podcasts and tv shows are fine, but LIVEstreams and the ability to interact are so much better. I have a few friends and family members to FaceTime with, but I need more!

Can anyone relate?

I understand completely! I'm a solo household and pre-COVID I spent very little time sitting at home. I performed shows regularly with an improv group. I traveled quite a bit (usually cruises because it was easy to socialize and meet people). I loved live theatre and had a couple of theatre subscriptions and regularly made weekend trips to NYC to catch shows. If I wasn't away traveling, I would always find stuff to do on the weekends to be out and about.

Initially it was incredibly challenging dealing with the feeling that my wings had been clipped and I was now perpetually grounded.

With my improv group, we figured out a way to move our weekly shows online via Zoom (in meeting mode so they remained fully interactive with audience participation). So I'm back interacting with them weekly and we've picked up some new audience "regulars" from elsewhere in the U.S.

I follow a few youtube/facebook livestreams that have active "chat" communities -- Stars In the House (fundraisers for The Actors' Fund) and UJokes. I've also bought tickets for livestream shows from comedy performers I follow. Some are viewing-only, some are more interactive with audience on-camera in Zoom (shows at Nowhere Comedy Club do this).

I figured out that one of the positive things about the pandemic was that activities that moved online are accessible from pretty much anywhere. So I jumped on the opportunity to take classes with Freestyle Love Supreme Academy via Zoom and joined that community. Then I started looking for more improv classes as a way to use up my PTO from work. That led me to the core track program with the Groundlings.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

The isolation was very hard for me at the start. Now though , with each passing day, as the numbers keep increasing and the deaths are rising and the hospitals are in crisis, I have a different view. Every day in isolation with the only human contact the people in my household, is a day that keeps me and the people of my household safe from Covid. I will not play Russian Roulette with my health and the health of people in my household. Every day in isolation is a day that I don't fear Covid. I know I am Covid free, I know the people in household are Covid free and we intend to stay that way. I did not get Covid in 2020, members of my household did not get Covid in 2020, and we plan to remain Covid free for 2021 and get the vaccine as soon as it is available to us.

Instead of seeing your home as prison keeping you inside, see it as a sanctuary, keeping Covid outside

I absolutely agree. Under Welsh rules I am allowed to leave the house to exercise locally once a day, so the dog and I go out once a day for a long walk. However, it is getting more difficult to avoid other walkers.
I try to have some routine, read for an hour, potter in the garden for an hour etc., and I have forbidden myself to put the television on before 19.00. Totally switched to online shopping and foodboxes (thank you Riverford Organics). I ‘read’ this forum and the Dibb, TPs and follow a limited number of public figures on Twitter, a mix of U.K. politicians, news sites, actors like John Cleese and Anthony Hopkins, some restauranteurs and ‘across the pond’, Don Winslow, George Conway, MeidasTouch etc.
I find the early dark evenings particularly long.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I absolutely agree. Under Welsh rules I am allowed to leave the house to exercise locally once a day, so the dog and I go out once a day for a long walk. However, it is getting more difficult to avoid other walkers.
I try to have some routine, read for an hour, potter in the garden for an hour etc., and I have forbidden myself to put the television on before 19.00. Totally switched to online shopping and foodboxes (thank you Riverford Organics). I ‘read’ this forum and the Dibb, TPs and follow a limited number of public figures on Twitter, a mix of U.K. politicians, news sites, actors like John Cleese and Anthony Hopkins, some restauranteurs and ‘across the pond’, Don Winslow, George Conway, MeidasTouch etc.
I find the early dark evenings particularly long.

Exactly, having a routine is the key, but also making sure that the routine does not become monotonous.

Which I switched to working from home, right from the start I kept the same working day routine at home as in the office, making sure to log in at the same time in the morning, have breaks the same time as I would in the office, etc etc. I also re did my home office area, so that I make the distinction between work time online and personal time online. I only use my home office area for paid work, any other time online I am on the sofa.

On days when I'm not working I make sure to have meals at the same time each day, and do chores / housework on the same day each week, or the same time of day every day.

I guess I am lucky in a way, that before Covid I was very active on social media and online communities, not just here on Dis / Disney related but other online communities. Disney+ has been the best thing ever for me. Its the first time I have actually subscribed to a streaming service, I don't have Netflix or Amazon Prime, so again, I have that to keep me occupied.

 

[anniemae]

One thing that has helped us is getting outside, regardless of weather. We gear up and head out even if it's raining or cold. A walk does wonders.