Ways to feel more connected during lockdown

It’s strange to think that just two months ago, we were celebrating Valentine’s Day. Together with my fellow single friends, I made dinner and danced the night away. We could hug each other, wander to the pub, form a tightly knit queue for pizza, slump on the sofa the next day and binge watch Love Is Blind. We never stopped to think just how lucky we were.

They say you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. But even now we can still feel connected to each other and to ourselves. I asked Starling staff and customers for their tips on how to feel connected during lockdown. Their recommendations, shared on social media and on Slack, are below.

Staying in touch with friends and family

I have never felt more grateful for technology. Today, we can talk to and see friends and family with the click of a button. There are plenty of platforms out there to use for video calls, many of which have been recommended by Starling customers. Otherwise, stick to good old fashioned phone calls. Just hearing someone else’s voice can make such a difference.

Trying new things

There have never been more online tools to help you learn something new, many of which are free. Here are some of the things I’m loving from Instagram Live: Monday night conversations with authors Nikita Gill and Nikesh Shukla, poetry tutorials from Rupi Kaur, Reese Witherspoon’s book club, which recently featured the incredible memoir Untamed by Glennon Doyle. These classes can form connections to new communities, as well as helping you to develop new skills.

Trying something new could also connect you to that forgotten childlike side of yourself - cue fancy dress PE lessons with Joe Wicks. There are also lots of online yoga classes available. If you’ve never tried a downward dog before, now is your chance.

Equally, if you don’t want to learn how to make sourdough bread or take an online calligraphy class, that’s also completely fine. Don’t feel guilty if all you’re learning right now is how to adapt to a new normal.

Creating water cooler moments

Many of you will be working from home, full-time for the first time. Even though I chose to work this way as a freelancer, I still miss catching up with colleagues while brewing a cup of tea. It’s important to recreate those moments by calling someone to chat, not about spreadsheets, but about what you had for lunch or box set recommendations.

And when you do have team catch-ups, why not try to jazz them up...

Getting creative

You can also get creative when it comes to catching up with friends at the weekend or date nights.

Below are some more creative ways to connect with friends and family, or keep others feeling part of the lives of people they can’t visit right now.

My favourite video has to be of the family of six who recorded their version of One Day from the musical Les Mis, complete with quarantine lyrics.

Learning from others and remembering that you’re not alone

Adventurer Ben Fogle recently reminded his followers: "You’re not stuck at home, you’re safe at home." Every weekday at 4pm, he shares stories from his many expeditions through Instagram Live. He’s often joined by his daughter Iona and occasionally his labradors Storm and Nero. His insights and conversations are simultaneously uplifting and grounding.

More words of wisdom come from Brené Brown, a researcher on vulnerability and courage who has recently launched a podcast, Unlocking Us. The special podcast episodes of How to Fail with Elizabeth Day featuring philosopher Alain de Botton and author Mo Gawdat are also well worth a listen.

Sometimes, when you’re struggling, picking up the phone to speak to someone you know is even more difficult than sitting in silence. If and when that happens, try listening to a podcast. Or reach out to a helpline such as Shout or Samaritans.

It’s normal to feel isolated, distanced and uncertain at this time. All these words are filling the headlines, but they don’t have to fill your head all day, every day. Switch off the news and put on a playlist or an album instead.

Remember that we’re all living through this strange time together. And that when we gain back some of those normal everyday moments - visits to family, lunches with colleagues, pints with friends - we’ll appreciate them so much more.