Connection. It seems to be a buzzword at the moment, with media, our friends, families, and offices pushing for it.
Generally, connection is healthy, important, crucial even. In this uncertain time, we’re all looking for something to keep our worlds feeling even a little bit normal, and connection- what we’d usually get by going to work, school, or social events is an important part of our normal. Since we can’t leave our homes, there is a new drive to connect with tons of people, even those we haven’t spoken to in years.
Living in a time where it is easier than ever to talk to people and to keep track of each other’s lives, to me, is a tangible extension of this philosophy. We are connected visibly by social media and video calling. Available 24/7. But what happens when connection has become oversaturated? Ever since New Zealand began its full lockdown as a response to COVID-19 the amount of time I have spent connecting with people has tripled and there have been moments where these sorts of connections have left me feeling burnt out, despite missing my friends and family.
What I have realised from being away from my home country is that sometimes the drive to connect with everyone you love all the time can feel overwhelming. Sometimes there are just too many calls, too many skype beers, too many messages in group chats. So, I have been thinking about things that are connection but don’t necessarily involve technology or having to push yourself to answer messages and calls. Here are some things that are connections to me:
The colour of the sun through leaves. This is a special one, and a particular favourite. It’s special because you can find it almost anywhere in the world. It’s easy to find, and it is always beautiful. For me, this is akin to an ancestor dropping in to remind me how lucky I am.
Dinner and movies with my flatmates. This ritual is the most obvious of my connections, the people I see every day and who, so far, still like me. They keep me sane, and I’m not sure what I’d have done during the lockdown without them. This is an effortless connection in my own environment.
Music. I once had a friend tell me that music is something that allowed her to travel around the world and always relate to people. Across language and cultural barriers, music allowed her to connect. For me, a hopelessly unmusical person, this idea seemed beautiful. Despite my inability to participate in the creation of music, it still makes me feel connected to the artists, and their fans when I listen to music. Check out The Beths’ new single!
The bright orange-pink of mushrooms on walking trails connects me to the brilliance and joy in our world, and the excitement that there will be so many things that seem so new after we get through this pandemic.
People moving out of each other’s way out on walks feels like an act of care and connection between total strangers.
Every weekday, when I cut an orange into 8 pieces and give four to my flatmate while he works, and I eat four. Generally, when this happens, it’s midmorning, he’s in a meeting or stressed about some last-minute assignment. We don’t usually talk, but I hand him a little bowl of orange slices, he smiles, I go off and eat my half, wash the cutting board and knife, and go back to work in my room.
My point is, connections are everywhere. We don’t need to worry too much about the times when we just don’t want to answer that call, or we don’t want to answer that message. Go for a walk, enjoy the sunny days before it gets too cold. Soon, we’ll go back to our lives and hopefully we will have learned something about connection.
We’ll get through this together and apart. Stay home and be kind.
Kia kaha (from Lindsay B.)
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