If there is something that the COVID-19 pandemic has helped us realize, it's the meaning of friendship. The times of meeting up for a casual drink or planning for a weekend getaway have been put on pause. Moreover, it has been going on for months with no clear end in sight. Consequently, striving to remain connected with friends during this period is much more critical than ever before.
But, how must we maintain closeness to the friends while staying apart? Zoom or other free video chat platforms, of course! Listed here are five methods to utilize these platforms to connect together with your friends, all and keep a safe distance.
1. Sip and Paint Night
A local painting studio by me did this in early stages in the pandemic: They picked a night, decided on a painting to create, and had a virtual sip and paint! Participants purchased the types of materials in advance and the studio mailed them out. Around the nights the sip and paint, participants logged in and, similar to being at the studio, enjoyed their favorite beverage and attempted the painting.
You don't need an art studio to create this happen, either. Organize one of these simple for the friend group by selecting a night, delivering supplies in advance, selecting a painting, then getting on Zoom for many artwork and drinks.
2. Book Club
Pick a magazine to read along with a day to meet, then set up a meeting via a video chat platform. Discuss it while you would if you were hosting an in-person book club. Using a day where everyone comes and meets up helps to get through a crazy workweek! What's more, it's an excuse to sit down and revel in a book throughout the week prior to the book club.
3. Photo Scavenger Hunt
My photo club set up one of these simple when the stay-at-home orders were first put into place. We started with the alphabet-each day, we had to photograph something with the given letter. Only then do we transitioned into harder challenges, for example shooting something in your house that begins with your name’s first letter or finding an object that mixes two given colors.
You can do the same with your friends. Generate a weekly or biweekly Zoom meeting, then give everyone their assignment for every week. During the video call, you can bypass the audience and have everyone share their photo.
4. Baking or Cooking
Being at home lets you try out new recipes that you might otherwise not have time to do. So why wouldn't you add your friends in to the activity? Decide on a recipe and try to bake it together using a video chat platform. Once it's done, enjoy it as a group and discuss your ideas.
5. Watch Party
Facebook is suitable for this! Produce a group and determine which video or movie your group wants to watch. You watch the video in realtime and can leave comments while you watch.
No matter what you choose to do, just remember always to remain connected. Don't let the COVID-19 pandemic cause you to abandon your friends. What's your preferred way to stay close with friends during this time? Let us know in the comments!
