We Are Humans At Our Core- We Need Each other

By: Heather Maclean

During the covid-19 pandemic we have seen people both suffer and struggle with what is going on around them. They have lost motivation, their jobs, and, in some cases, their homes and their freedom to do everyday things.  Since our world has changed and turned upside down, humans have had to find new ways to communicate with one another. As the year has progressed, we have discovered that now, more than ever, the only way to get through this is together.

Marina Giorlando, a pageant coach that specializes in building people’s confidence and trust levels, says that she believes that we need human interaction with others to keep us grounded. 

“I think everyone needs a different level of connection with other people. I am extroverted so I get energized by being around other individuals and I know it’s not the same case for certain people. But we all do need to be a part of some type of human interaction and connection and to make sure that those connections are healthy and that they help us thrive.”

Marina Giorlando pageant coach

But what is interaction with another being? It is the act of talking or doing things with other beings such as having coffee with someone or maybe you want to take your dog for a walk. Most of the time we find these events with others to be fun and it allows us to connect with them on a deeper level. Whether you are an extrovert or an introvert you still may need some form of connection from another being. 

So why is it so important for us to keep these connections going during the pandemic? Well first, it’s a great stress reliever. Many people have felt stressed or alone during the pandemic. This affects people in there everyday lives and makes them not want to go to work or anywhere else. But it’s the interactions we get from others that help us get through the hard times that so many of us are going through right now.

Secondly,  it motivates us to connect with others and create memories. Sometimes, you reach out to the same people everyday and you don’t normally think about older friendships that you may have lost touch with. But have you ever thought about what would happen if you reached out to that person today? 

Marina says that sometimes it’s good to make the first move if it’s someone that you haven’t talked to in a while. Even sending a simple text to let others know you are thinking of them means the world. Maria tries to do this everyday. 

“It looks like just saying: ‘Hey what’s up.’ Or maybe you don’t want to start a conversation with that, maybe it’s just saying ‘I miss you.’ or ‘I hope you’re doing well.’ Something like that. I’ll message people that I haven’t talked to in a year and I’ll say: ‘Hey I was just thinking about you and I hope everything is okay.’ Just truly caring about other people and saying: ‘Hey its been awhile I just felt like I wanted to message you and I hope that everything is okay.’ Nine times out of ten you know that’s gonna start up a conversation.” 

Maria Giorlando, Pageant Coach

We are also encouraged to find new ways of being together whether it be in a Zoom call or with people in our inner circle. These people bring us out of the dark and into the light. They inspire us to be better people and to never give up.

With more and more people getting vaccinated everyday and lockdown measures slowly decreasing, it makes you want to hope that things will return to normal. No matter how long the pandemic may last for, we all know that the greatest thing we have is each other and the knowledge that this global crisis will not last forever.

Check out what some people have been doing through the course of the year to improve their interactions with others.

Check out this playlist as well to help you remember the good times with those you love.