A<\/span>s if entering the world of retirement weren\u2019t socially daunting enough, the challenges of social distancing during the COVID-19 crisis make it especially difficult to build and sustain relationships.<\/p>\n Here we are, not only separated from our support system of friends and loved ones but also separated from our colleagues. In addition to this, we may feel intimidated by reaching out to others to build our social networks. Maybe we already feel lonely and lack meaningful connections, still unable to find the right friends or our tribe.<\/p>\n I understand this feeling.<\/p>\n As a former rehabilitation counselor and a baby boomer who has had to rebuild my support community, I can attest to the importance of being proactive in building our networks. Indeed, making meaningful connections is not just about looking for the right person or finding our tribe.<\/p>\n It\u2019s more about creating friendships and a sense of belonging. When we reach out and offer our interest and support to others, we are creating communities with our initiative and acts of compassion. To build meaningful relationships, we become networkers and advocates who invite others to join our interests, causes, or senses of purpose. Building a community means inviting people to join us, not just looking for people to fit in with.<\/p>\n Before we begin to build our community of friendships and fellowships, it helps to first reflect on what truly motivates us at our core\u2014seeking what is authentically meaningful for ourselves. If we are meeting people through common activities, values, or missions that stem from our true nature, we are more likely to create opportunities to nurture and build relationships. We might take a close look at what calls us or motivates us before we reach out to others.<\/p>\n 1. Follow our caring.<\/p>\n Help and serve others, such as volunteering remotely or checking in on people more isolated than we are.<\/p>\n Learn from others, such as taking a class through Zoom; learning a new language; or taking a virtual tour of a museum.<\/p>\n Share what we love with others, such as joining a book club or movie-watch party on Facebook.<\/p>\n Join a support group, such as a group for a chronic illness, a 12-step group, or a meetup for newly divorced people.<\/p>\n Share a cause or a mission with others, such as advocating for wildlife protection, supporting our health care providers, or helping people with disabilities.<\/p>\n Once we\u2019ve identified the drives that call us to action, we are ready to take the first steps toward building meaningful connections. The following are some well-proven and solid solutions to building a community.<\/p>\nThe following is a list of five healthy motivations or drives that could break us out of isolation, even in these times of social distancing:<\/h4>\n
2. Follow our curiosity.<\/h4>\n
3. Follow our bliss, our passion.<\/h4>\n
4. Follow our healing.<\/h4>\n
5. Follow our sense of purpose.<\/h4>\n
Volunteer in your community.<\/h3>\n