Remember being a kid and always wanting to play outside with friends? After school, the highest priority was to meet all the kids from the neighborhood and ride bikes, catch lightning bugs, or play hide and seek.
Not much changes after growing up. That need to belong and feel connected stays with us so that we frequent certain restaurants, host friends for game nights, and go to sporting events to feel the thrill of a cheering crowd.
At least, that’s what we did pre-pandemic.
What We Learned About Connection
The pandemic ushered in a host of new challenges, but one of the main ones was a loss of connection. To protect our families and loved ones, we did this weird new thing called “social distancing,” which completely goes against our nature to connect.
But with our resilient American spirit, we found a way to make it work. Here are 7 surprising ways we’ve learned to connect better because of social distancing.
1. Calling people again
Before cell phones, we holed ourselves up in our rooms and talked to high school sweethearts and best friends for hours on a landline. However, with the ability to type our messages through texts, we sort of lost that desire to talk on the phone.
In a way, the pandemic reminded us of the importance of hearing a loved one’s voice from a distance. There’s really nothing quite like hearing someone say they love you over the phone. Especially when things are so unpredictable and scary.
2. Attending class virtually
Virtual learning made it possible for college students to continue learning during the pandemic. Without question, this was better than no education, even if online learning is arguably not as effective as in-person courses.
Virtual learning is an essential long-term option for many people when it comes to connecting to educational resources. It makes it easier to work around unconventional work schedules, injury, sickness, and distance!
3. Playing online video games
When weekly in-person game nights needed to end temporarily, we had to find ways to stay connected with close friends. Online video games offered a solution for the young at heart.
With mystical fantasy adventures, racing, dancing, crime-solving and more, the online gaming world has something for everyone. When it comes to connection, being able to hang out with friends online while also playing a game together is a win-win.
4. Attending church online
The pandemic forced places of faith to reimagine connection. As a result, many churches found a way to offer sermons and worship sessions online.
This new way of worshiping together virtually provided a solution to connect that remains even now. Many groups like the elderly, night-shift workers, and even just overwhelmed and busy families continue to benefit from online messages.
5. Virtual check-ups with a doctor
Who wants to sit in a busy waiting room while feeling sick? Virtual check-ups make it possible to connect with our doctors and nurses from the comfort of our homes.
Not only does this make logistical sense (less spreading of germs!), but it’s also super convenient! A quick video chat with a healthcare professional offers the comfort and help we need to get well again.
6. Working from home
Leading that Zoom call meeting from your own living room has its ups and downs (especially when the kids are home or the dog keeps asking to be let out every 20 minutes). But life would have been so much more difficult without the ability to work from home during these crazy times.
Connection to a job during uncertain times is everything! And the ability to work from home made it possible to keep industry moving and jobs secured even during a pandemic.
7. Internet Connection
In this day and age, internet connection matters almost as much as having a refrigerator. A good internet connection makes all of the above points possible. It also provides a connection to the world through real-time news, social media, streaming services, and sports.
Imagine the past couple of years without the ability to do any of the things on this list. Without the internet, connection during a pandemic would have been practically nonexistent!
Lessons Learned
Even though we don’t wish to live through another pandemic, we learned some valuable lessons. We learned about what it means to connect across a distance. And we also learned that we need one another to make it through difficult times.
Part of our mission at ACE Fiber is to offer a better quality of life to Alcorn County by offering dependable internet. We often say things like, “The speed you need and the service you deserve” and “lightning-fast speeds.” But those aren’t just catch phrases to us.
Our goal goes beyond fast internet. We want to see our entire community connected…connected across a digital divide, a pandemic, or whatever else may come.
Get Connected Today
If you haven’t signed for ACE Fiber’s internet service, it’s not too late! Check out our full list of services here.
