The Social Benefit of Social Distancing

Will the pandemic aftermath result in an increased connection?

The road towards a lonely life is one forged out of various circumstances, which continue to perpetuate its existence today — especially in the world of a pandemic. Those who have friendships and family members continue to foster those relationships fiercely through the wave of an everlasting need for virtual conncection. Bonds are strengthened.

However, for the individuals who possess no such friend group nor warmth of a close-knit family, the situation becomes increasingly bleak. Growing up an only child with two full-time working parents, I’m used to being alone. In fact, I enjoy it.

I revel in my own company and find it exhausting to placate the social whims prescribed to a woman in today’s modern world. So periods of solitude with my thoughts are a highlight of my life. Wonderful.

The problem with too much solitude is sacrificing a fundamental and biological need for human connection. The dreams and fantasies of my inner world do little to foster the growth and love which accompanies human connection.

So what does one do to remedy her personality? How does she reach out for the relationships she craves when the rest of the world expects superficiality from her? How can mere humans live up to the standards she has set in her dreams? What happens when they don’t? Does she continue the pattern of isolation, or can she meet the challenge with emphatic flexibility?

In the world of social media, I am unable to craft the type of relationships I desire. I wait for the day I am greeted with true friendship, but I wonder if my vision of such a union is built on the lies told in movies and television. Without a basis to draw from, I’m unclear what a true friendship even looks like.

Those Hollywood scenes of loyal friends and communities — are they real? Do I throw this fantasy of communion out with my youth? The danger in keeping such fantasies alive is that I perpetuate the cycle of loneliness.

I then wonder — why should I not deserve such everlasting and loyal unions? How can my vision be a lie? Maybe I will wait to find them, but if I do, so I remain alone. The harsh reality of human inadequacy and imperfection is one that I am unable to bear. For if I accept the reality of existence, then I must finally admit my own imperfections.

Maybe the value of social distancing resides in the deep, deep pull towards humanity. Maybe in the aftermath, we will unite with a passion and intimacy greater than before. Maybe a restored faith in humanity will accompany us. Maybe my stubborn expectations will vanish with the warmth of connection.