You may be thinking: It was hard enough to make new friends outside of the quarantine.. Let alone during the Great Quarantine of 2020..
Or you may be thinking.. Meeting new people during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is just downright crazy!!
Either way.. It’s important to know that we’re social creatures and we have a deep need for connection during a time like this.. In fact, it’s especially important at a time like this.
Though, if you’re completely fulfilled in life right now and have no desire for a deeper connection with other humans, then this article isn’t for you.
But if you’re like the rest of us and have a desire to be understood, appreciated, and have more deep meaningful connections – then this article is for you.
Fulfilling our deepest desires – A case of TOILET PAPER:
At the start of the quarantine many of us dropped to our most physiological needs, which in this case was obviously toilet paper.. I mean, how could we imagine surviving without toilet paper 😉
Haha okay.. But seriously.. outside of that, many of us were pretty darn scared at the start of quarantine. Many of us didn’t even feel safe anymore, which is why we dropped to our most basic Physiological needs, which we’ll describe here by referencing Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (MHoN)Â see picture below:
A brief description on MHoN: The higher we are up on the pyramid, the more fulfilled we are in life. The highest level of the pyramid is Self-Actualization, which means you have realized your meaning in this world and have reached your true potential. For this article, let’s imagine we can only move up a level once the level below us is satisfied.
The lowest level is Physiological Needs – which are the basic things you need to survive like water, air, shelter, toilet paper, warmth, etc.
Then moving up to the next level is Safety Needs – including health, employment, personal security, etc. As the pandemic progressed, many people stayed in this area.. And to be honest, I believe a lot of people are still here.. They’re unsure of future work, they’re scared they’ll catch COVID, and/or they feel scared for their personal safety when they go to the grocery store.
Let’s say you have both of these levels satisfied (You have plenty of toilet paper and you feel safe).
The next level is Love and Belonging – This is where we desire friends, lovers, and a sense of connection.. If we are not truly fulfilled here, we cannot move to the next level..
The second highest level is Esteem – including respect, status, freedom, self-respect, etc. To which you may be thinking..
Psshhh I know plenty of people who are successful, have great positions, make a lot of money, run large teams, etc..
That’s all great and dandy, but do they truly feel fulfilled inside.. Only they have the answer..
[Only when we are alone, left to our own thoughts, can we truly know]
So I challenge you.. Are you truly fulfilled? Take a look at Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and see at which level you may reside. If you are seeking a need for Love and Belonging – maybe it’s time to make some new friends during the quarantine..