The disproportionate number of COVID-19 illnesses and deaths in the Black community, coupled with the deliberating economic impact across industries have left many of us overwhelmed. As we grieve personal, professional, emotional and economic losses all at once, our support—both given and received—may look different. We are all dealing with so much and everyone is handling it in their own way. In these unprecedented times, that may test some friendships as social norms are forsaken and new patterns continue to emerge and evolve.
At the start of the pandemic, Tia Mowry-Hardrict suggested in a since-deleted tweet that by paying attention to those who reach out to you, you can thereby determine who your real friends are. The comment led to backlash from some followers; but, despite the controversy it sparked, the tweet opened the door to a meaningful and necessary dialogue. Can the same litmus test that we applied to friendships pre-COVID also serve us accurately during quarantine? And do our usual expectations of friends need to be adjusted in the current climate?
Holistic health and wellness coach Candy Calderón cautions that when it comes to friendships this isn’t about keeping score. “This is not the time to pass judgement, or keep tabs on who called and who didn’t because that makes everything about you.”
The temptation to be self-absorbed should instead be replaced by a loving self-focus. Life coach and certified yoga instructor Kelley Green advises that you can do this by strengthening the mind-body connection “[and] maximizing your psychological well-being with positive affirmations, meditation, yoga/exercise, eating healthy, and other activities you love.” Calderón elaborates: “It’s important that we gather the tools—whether it’s therapy, books, etc.—to be personally sustainable and be there for our own self.” Author and motivational speaker Lucinda Cross agrees, clarifying that “this is an opportunity to figure out how good a friend you are being to yourself versus how good a friend someone is being to you.”
Selection Is Key
As our internal work continues, external support from friends remains important. But selection is critical. “Our mental health is being tested on the daily,” Calderón says. “Boundaries by way of curating who has access to us must be applied to friends and sometimes, even family members.”
This pandemic is wreaking internal havoc and in some, amplifying already-existing insecurities. Recently I dealt with a friend who became increasingly competitive due to feelings of inadequacy. The more insecure she felt, the more damaging her behavior became. Her words and actions created a toxic environment that I knew could not be sustained.
“Negative and toxic energy affects our emotional, mental, and physical well-being which makes us more susceptible to experiencing depression and illnesses,” Green cautions. “You likely know a person who drains your energy and it’s perfectly fine to limit interactions with them. Setting boundaries may feel awkward in the beginning but they can spare you a lot of emotional pain in the end.”
Four Friendships Worth Cultivating
While continuing to be selective in terms of the energy we allow into our space, there are certain friendships that each of us should consider cultivating and investing in as we navigate these choppy and unchartered pandemic waters. These friends will foster well-rounded growth, and be a supportive sounding board, even in the time of quarantine.
Go-getter Gal
This is the friend who inspires you to higher career heights, even in spite of COVID-19’s impact. Her knack for ideation and innovation motivates you to keep dreaming and stretching by learning new skills, joining a book club or encouraging you to attend or lead virtual workshops. “Relationships like these should be approached with intention and clarity year round,” advises marketing and branding strategist Sandra Garcia. “This ensures that they will operate as intended even in spite of distance, space, and isolation.”
Spiritual Sistren
What would life be without your soul sister moments? The ugly cries. The heart to heart’s that you’ll both treasure forever. This is the person who prays with you and for you, sends you inspirational quotes and devotional readings, and is always there with a kind ear. “Prayer with a friend or a loved one is unmatched. A good cry without judgment is priceless. But that is not always the reality,” Calderón warns.
If lightning strikes, great. But we shouldn’t impose such high expectations on anyone right now. “We won’t always have somebody at our beck and call to be there, to listen and lend a shoulder,” Calderón says.
Funny and Sunny
This is the friend you can count on for a good laugh and a lighthearted bonding session. Even in spite of physical distancing this friend still encourages you to stay socially connected with invites to virtual parties and happy hours, hilarious memes, and the hottest music tracks. Whether you’re playing a game on Houseparty, rocking out at Club Quarantine or recapping the latest VERZUS battle, the two of you seem to keep the good times rolling. “This quarantine buddy is your point of light,” says Cross. The current climate can be sad, stressful and overwhelming; now more than ever, moments of levity afford us a necessary respite.
Wellness Wifey
Whether she’s signing you up for a virtual workout class, helping you track your weekly steps/miles, or cooking a new recipe with you real-time via Zoom, this friend will keep you on track and hold you accountable with your fitness and healthy eating goals. This friendship is particularly important “if consistency and self-motivation is a struggle for you,” Green explains. In addition to managing weight, consistent physical activity can help stabilize mood swings and alleviate feelings of hopelessness. According to Green, “the benefits of exercising include the release of endorphins into the body which boosts your energy, reduces stress, and improves your mood.”