Making Meaningful Connections in the Time of Zoom

Why Do We Need Human Connections?

Everyone needs human connection. People form groups naturally. There are countries, cities, churches, clubs, organizations, friends, and families. Many of us were more than encouraged to get involved in high school and college with different groups and clubs whether it was an art club, debate team, Spanish club, rowing team, running team, or even something ridiculous like the UMN Lettuce Club. It is so important for our mental health to have groups of people that we can talk to and share experiences with. People desire to be with other people, and human connection is now something we are craving more than ever. Some of us no longer see people during their morning seem mute every day. You could even be forgetting what the barista who used to take your coffee order every Friday morning looks like! Each of these consistent human interactions seems so minuscule but are so dearly missed. We have lost the spark of human connection that no one knew we were taking for granted. 

How to Make Connections Via Zoom/the internet 

The year 2020 has been one of the most memorable years of our lives and not specifically for the good that it has brought. The entire world has been turned upside down and a life of in-person chats, smiles, and handshakes have turned into a fleet of Zoom call after Zoom call. As challenging as this year has been, there are still ways to meet the biological need for human connections while still being socially distanced.  

Coffee Dates

Coffee dates have always been some of my favorite things. It is the silent equalizer in a world of diversity. Even if you happen to be a tea drinker, a local coffee shop is a place for you too! Grabbing a cup of coffee is a perfect excuse to catch up with a friend and a great way to network with people you are looking to connect with, even those you have known for years and never got a chance to really get to know. Grabbing a cup of coffee used to be the perfect first date—people could literally fall in love over a cup of coffee! And let me tell you, coffee can still be done in this bizarre time. 

While Zoom meetings can seem like a chore, meeting a friend on Zoom for a quick catch up and a cup of coffee can be so meaningful. It is important to still have human connection, so even 15 minutes of seeing someone’s unmasked face, slowing down, and sipping on a warm beverage can be a great way to forget about everything that is going on in this crazy world. It could also be good to cope with anxieties you may be experiencing by talking about how you’re feeling. Coffee can bring a sense of normality to the chaos that is life in 2020, and the human connection that you can get out of a short call can be so meaningful.  

Genuine Check-Ins

In a world full of Zoom meetings, we miss the normalcy of organic casual conversations. Where one would regularly tell co-workers or family members about important things going on in their lives, we now miss out on a lot of those opportunities because of the way that meetings have scheduled out every second of the day. We have lost the meaningful human connection that can help us cope with the world and our lives without us really realizing it. Casually talking to a friend or co-worker about things that you have been struggling with can be so beneficial for psychological acceptance and processing. Right now, more than ever, it is really important to check in with the people you care about because it is very easy to lose this crucial interaction. Loneliness and anxiety are increasingly common in 2020, even in the people you wouldn’t expect. Genuinely checking in with friends and family and asking how things are going for them can open doors into increased positive emotional states. 

Virtual Happy Hours

A lot of companies and groups of friends and family have gotten creative and kept social activities like virtual happy hours alive. Grabbing drinks used to be a way for co-workers to unwind together and bond in a more relaxed way. Nowadays at our “office,” it can be so easy to keep your head down, focus on the tasks at hand, and get lost in the work you’re doing. Virtual happy hours help create a sense of togetherness which can in turn make teams function better when working. This can be especially beneficial for new hires that are starting virtually, as it can be really difficult to form meaningful relationships with team members without casual interactions. Some companies have also designated themes for virtual happy hours or casual team meetings to make people feel more comfortable and more engaged. For example, Zappos had a virtual happy hour where the company artist had a creative project opportunity for those interested and sent out materials, so they could all participate and make something cool led by an artistic professional. Big team meetings that have a casual feel can foster creativity and closeness across teams. 

Final Thoughts

Although this year has brought so many unique challenges, we can still make the most of a difficult situation. Instead of sulking in the corner because you haven’t seen your friends or family, go out and make something happen. Sometimes people don’t realize that they can still catch a glimpse of casual relationship life through a 20-minute Zoom catch-up call or coffee date. You can make a difference in someone else’s life as well as your own just by reaching out! Human interaction will always be needed, so don’t pretend that you don’t need it—you do.