Inspirational Post: Overcoming the Emotional Darkness of Social Distancing and Replacing it With Enhanced Virtual Closeness [ 2020 Discussion Challenge - #12]
Overcoming the Emotional Darkness of Social Distancing and Replacing it With Enhanced Virtual Closeness
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| NAPPY STUDIO |
My purpose for writing this post is three-fold.
- To speak to the unease felt by all, even my fellow introverts, emanating from state regulations on social distancing.
- To share information on joining, or even starting, virtual bookish clubs.
- To share an invaluable resource from Hachette Book Group.
There are seasons in life when something dreadful appears and creates the most profound darkness you’ve ever experienced. It takes a toll on you, and you feel like you’ll never get through it. I believe that the only way to encounter true joy is to first accept the darkness. These emotions and struggles work together to ensure we appreciate good times.
But just how does we overcome this dark time and the sad feelings when engaging in social distancing?
Even further, how do we replace these feelings with joy when the the crest of COVID-19 has not been reached?
The answer is to pinpoint those things that yield joy and peace, and permeate your space with those very things.
As a literary influencer and a loud & proud book nerd, I came up with some strategies to help me conquer this dark and uncertain time.
- Consume yourself with a new project or hobby. There are likely many bookish activities that you’ve never tried. These very activities could bring you immense pleasure! Try checking out a virtual book tour via blogs, Crowdcast, or Zoom.
2020's Virtual Bookish Events - Bookish
Kelly Yang ( Parachutes) is offering free writing workshops for teens every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 3pm EST on Instagram. Brigid Kemmerer (A Curse So Dark and Lonely) and Jodi Picoult ( A Spark of Light) will be going live on Instagram at 8pm est. - Enjoy the virtual community of others. Spending time with family and friends is a great way to rejuvenate your current emotional state and experience joy. But, if they don’t live in you home, now is not really the time. But, have you considered the plethora of virtual options? From Google Hangouts to Skype and WhatApps group chats, you can still remain connected.
Ok….so, maybe you want to do something of the same things you did pre-COVD-19, like book clubs. Well, you still can. Check out the articles below for clubs to join. Or use them as inspiration to start your own.
10 Virtual Book Clubs You Can Join Now-And How to Start One
Many book clubs have sprung up to connect readers during social distancing. Here are several you can join, and some tips for building your own.'The perfect time to start': how book clubs are enduring and flourishing during Covid-19
My book club was the first to concede defeat. Before my gym, hair salon and therapist accepted that there could be no more business as usual as the coronavirus took hold in the UK, the host of my book club got in touch to say that our March meet-up was off.
7 Online Book Clubs to Join While Social Distancing
If social distancing has you missing your weekly book club meetings, then now is the perfect time to join an online book club! Not only are they easy to join, but, best of all, they can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own isolated couch!
Virtual Bookclubs to Join During Quarantine: Part 2
Sometimes, the best part about reading a book is the community around it. Book clubs have been a staple of reading books for near as long as the books themselves. Yet, in recent times of social distancing, it can feel much harder to connect into these larger populations of book readers. - Hold fast to your faith.Your faith has carried you through bleak and questionable times before. Your faith in the God’s ability to sustain you should not be overlooked. If you believe He has kept you and those you love through the lowest moments of your life, there’s no reason to think He will leave you now!!
Hachette Book Group has assembled a phenomenal self-quarantine kit with a host of resources.This survival kit features excerpts from our favorite spiritual leaders like Bishop T.D. Jakes and Joyce Meyer, journaling pages, worksheets, and much more. Whether you need spiritual uplifting, practical advice, or want to exercise your creativity muscle, you can find it from Hachette.
Quarantine Survival Kit
People all over the world are adjusting to the challenges of social distancing. As you self-quarantine, we understand that it can be hard to stay motivated and even harder to come up with new, creative ways to pass the time. Let us help you not only fill the time-but make the most of it!
Use these ideas to help you think about the various things that you might enjoy.
There’s a world of virtual joy waiting for you!
"Fear is a feeling, afraid is a choice. When fear shows up, I feel it fully. But then, I have the choice to stay in it or choose hope." – Jon Acuff
Your Turn: Do you have tips that you would like others to know about? Share in the comments!
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