Welcome back to the world! For those who are fully vaccinated, new opportunities abound to get back to doing things we love! For some people it’s easy to jump right back into the swing of things, but others may feel a bit out of practice. We’ve put together a list of five ways to dive back into the activities you used to love, or maybe find something new to enjoy!
1. Volunteer
What better way to meet great people while doing good things? Pick a cause you’re passionate about and find a local group that wants to make a difference in the same way you do. Not only will you make your community a better place, but you’ll also find similar-minded people who can become friends or even future mentors at the same time. You never know when you might run into someone who can change your life for the better- you may be that person for someone else, too.
Volunteering will certainly improve the lives of those around you, and it can make your life better as well. When you’re around people who care, you’ll boost your likelihood of making meaningful connections with others and melting away the loneliness of the last year.
2. Join a meetup group
Did you find a new hobby during quarantine that you want to explore further with others? Maybe you learned a new skill that you want to improve or show other people how to do. If you recently moved, you probably want to meet people and explore your new environment. Joining an interest group is a great way to do that. Whether you like to run, paint, attend shows, or watch sports, there are plenty of groups to join to find new friends who would love to have you. Making connections with people you just met is much easier when you share an activity in common. You have an automatic opener to strike up conversations with people in the group who would be happy to get to know you better!
3. Start a new exercise class
It’s amazing the fresh perspective you can gain from getting your heart rate up for a while. The fun part about classes is the camaraderie you get to feel as you challenge yourself physically! You’ll have fun, feel fit, and maybe even make a lasting connection with your classmates.
Exercise is also a great way to get rid of the pandemic lethargy and start feeling invigorated again. It can help reduce anxious feelings and boost your confidence so you can put your best face forward to reach your post-Covid goals, fitness-related or not!
4. Take your work to a trade show or other promotional place
If you work in an industry that has trade shows or other tabling events, search for local events and sign up! Taking a day to promote your company or organization to a whole new set of people can be a really fun way to shake up your workday and help your business at the same time. Getting the chance to network with others in your line of work is also a nice opportunity- you could even meet someone who will be able to collaborate on a new project with you. The upbeat atmosphere of trade shows is a good place to introduce others to the work you do, and hopefully to increase your client base too. No matter what, you’ll get to see lots of new people in your community and regain the feeling of involvement and belonging that many of us missed during quarantine.
5. Go to a local show or sporting event
Whether you are a theater lover, a sports fanatic, or a little bit of both, one of the major perks of cities opening up again is being able to attend live events and sit in an audience of people enjoying the same thing you are. We’ve all probably watched plenty of TV over the past year, so it’s particularly exciting to be able to enjoy live entertainment. Performers and athletes have undoubtedly missed having the live interaction with fans in the audience, and many smaller venues have struggled mightily throughout the pandemic to make it to the finish line. Buying tickets and showing your support for your local entertainers and sports teams will mean the world to them, and be lots of fun for you!
How have you re-engaged with your community recently? Which ways are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments- we love hearing from you!
