I love the slogan “Alone Together”. The first time I heard it was as a TV series but most recently it’s been a slogan on TV. I’m guessing it’s meant to be positive as it summarizes society’s social distancing (alone) with worldwide (together) effort to stop this global pandemic.
Yet, before COVID-19, many of us have experienced “alone togetherness” in our own homes, work environments, churches and other places. This “alone togetherness” references a more negative connotation and results from a sense of being with others and still feeling alone or like an outsider. Anyone relate? Perhaps that’s why we have learned to spend so much time on the go or maybe indulging in self-destructive behaviors. Now as we find ourselves staying at home with less opportunity to escape these thoughts, we are forced to acknowledge them.
It has taken about three weeks for my husband and I to adjust to this new norm and find peace and enjoyment in our quiet togetherness. If we still had kids at home, I would imagine it would be even longer. I hear these same concerns from my clients. They feel alone in their challenges with finding productive routines, motivating school aged children to continue learning, helping teens take the pandemic more seriously, desiring spouses to be more supportive, etc. The list is long! Coupling all of this with financial stress and worry, it’s no wonder people are feeling depleted and sad (even if remaining healthy from the coronavirus).
Although there are many examples of wonderful times being created by families during this quarantine, rest assured that you are not alone if that has not been your experience. Being able to accept where you are, being gentle with yourself and others, and seeking God’s grace may bring you to a deeper place of peace, acceptance and belonging in your current environment. Perhaps then, the result will be more a feeling of togetherness that can last long after this pandemic.