by: Isabella Sarlija

When is the last time you picked up the phone and decided to call your friend?  

With our current unprecedented times being as turbulent as they are, it is hard for us to do simple tasks like safely go to the grocery store, let alone get together with our friends. Add in a dash of constantly checking our email inboxes as we work from home, and we can find ourselves only having interactions with people during work-related Zoom meetings, it becomes hard to just call your friend.

Although life may become hectic, and our schedules would rather we strap ourselves to our desks all day, we must remember to check in with our friends and family. And we’re not just talking about catching up on the latest and greatest gossip of the world; we’re talking about truly connecting with loved ones to see if they are doing alright. 

Having deep and meaningful check-ins can create a sense of belonging in us, which is much needed for our mental health as we continue to live in an isolated world of quarantine. It reminds us that although times are hard right now, we have a support system to turn to, and we have people to listen to us vent, which can be extremely cathartic.

Additionally, true friendships can help us better understand our trauma-driven aggravations in life. Since our friends and family know us and our history best, they may help us shed light on why a specific situation creates tension within us. Yet, don’t be entirely dependent on your peers to heal every single one of your traumas––they are your loved ones, and should not be treated as therapists. Before diving into a long night of FaceTime conversations, remember to ask if a loved one is ready to talk about some of life’s more serious matter––they might be in a tough place themselves and not fully ready to offer a shoulder to cry just yet. But not to worry, they still love you and will be ready soon. So go ahead, call your friend, you won’t regret it!