The Awkwardness of Reconnecting
As a Youth and Family Minister with a congregation that has worshipped almost entirely online through this pandemic, I have found it difficult to reconnect and actually talk to people! What can we learn about this from different world religions?
- Jesus leaves for forty days alone in the wilderness, but when He comes back He quickly makes new friends and calls twelve new followers! That hasn’t been my post-quarantine experience.
- Moses was alone in the wilderness keeping watch over a flock of sheep when God spoke to him through a burning bush. When he re-emerged from the wilderness he had a mission for justice and liberation, but he was nervous about talking to people! That sounds more like me.
- Buddha and Muhammad found insight and clarity from isolation and meditation. They emerged from a “quarantine” with new religious ideas and remarkable clarity. Instead of insight, I seem to have only found awkwardness.
A recent Washington Post article sheds light on how everyone is dealing with post-pandemic social awkwardness. Maybe it’s not just me then? As we begin to reconnect, I have some tips to make it less awkward:
- Take it slow: Start small with familiar groups of people. No need to jump into high-stress social environments right away. Be mindful of how long you want to socialize at one stretch. You may be more tired than usual. Make a plan to leave when it works for you since it’s not as easy as clicking “leave meeting”!
- Ask questions: We’ve all had a variety of experiences during this pandemic. However, some popular trends might help get everyone talking. Baking? Movies or shows? Outdoor activities? It might be helpful to name the awkwardness and how you got through it. Talking about our coping mechanisms, like baking sourdough, can help us get connected and understand one another better.
- Breathe: Remembering to simply breathe, especially with a mask on, and stay calm is important. If you feel like you’re shouting and out of breath, focus on listening well. Try to express yourself with hand gestures. Just be silly; it will help! Invite a conversation outside and see if people might be willing to remove masks to make talking a little easier.
- Retreat: Like any new exercise plan, art project, or summer reading schedule, it will take practice. Those Zoom calls, text messages, and even letters got us through this difficult time so no need to quit them completely. Especially after a lot of in person social interaction, it’s okay to retreat for some alone time or an online connection that might be easier and will keep you connected nonetheless!
The pandemic and returning to school in the fall have brought mental health concerns to the forefront. To read more check out: ABC News: Mental Health Focus.
For a fun mindfulness exercise to calm your breathing: Triangle Breathing: 1 minute video
For mental health resources in the Lake County area check out: NAMI Lake County
I hope we can find a compassionate community like Jesus, justice like Moses, and insight like Buddha and Mohammad. We might feel a little awkward, but we can find ways to be fully ourselves again.
Karl Anliker
CTAD Member
Youth and Family Ministry Director
Christ United Methodist Church
May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of their hand (adapted from a traditional Gaelic blessing).
