Social distancing and loneliness

@braveSpring526

Right now is a unique time, and at the same time, sounds like big life shifts are happening for you.

Any sort of these changes will be difficult to settle in to, and it will take time. However, we can take steps to ease the process with smaller goals that you can undertake and achieve, that way, when we complete one of these goals, we are empowered to do the next. We see progress this way.

Now, I'm not the expert on the rural town around you, maybe if you feel comfortable, you can look to your parents for that. Support systems, or a group of people we can trust with our open, honest selves, help us open up and feel more comfortable about where we stand especially when we've gone through stressful situations. When you feel grounded there (and when it is safe to be outside), you can move on to people in the community. Local stores, shops, cafes. Neighbors maybe? Try setting a goal of connecting to one person in the next month or so around you. You can use a variety of paths to this, be it social media or just community gatherings if there are any, or just anything you feel comfortable with. Ask yourself, what would I do if I weren't scared? By allowing fear to limit ourselves, we limit our potential!

In the meantime, just know that you are not alone. Do some of the things you love everyday, journal about how you feel. It's important to express emotions, and although it is a scary time, it also a time of personal growth.

Good luck, stay safe-

@braveSpring526- gosh, I saw this thread back when you posted it. Sat there trying to think of a sure fire way to meet new people in a rural setting. But darn- it is all so much more complicated with covid separation. So I never wrote a reply till now. Hopefully where you live is opening up a lttle bit - a being less restrictive. My small community feels fractured during this time of staying home.