People are naturally social creatures, so it should come as no surprise that a pandemic which is best fought with isolation, would take a toll on our relationships.
Jocelyn Avila, 20, of North Andover, has noticed a change in her relationships during the pandemic. Avila, who studies journalism and communications and works at a Digital Federal Credit Union as a customer service representative, says it has been difficult to maintain existing relationships with friends.
At work she has encountered some struggles in working with clients who are not used to new technologies implemented because of the pandemic and finds herself dealing with frustrated customers quite often.
Mirrorajah Metcalf, 19, of Haverhill, says that the pandemic has helped her “filter out” her friendships. She has been able to see “the true ones come to the forefront.” Metcalfe recently started a new job at a local Market Basket and has been able to make work a social experience.
Andrew Venditti, 21, from Haverhill, plays guitar in an alternative rock band called Everything in Green. The band has been unable to meet for rehearsals since the pandemic hit.
Some people have been able to dedicate more time to family time whether in person or online.
Metcalfe, who lives with her dad, stepmom and little sister, finds that she spends more time at home with her family and is also able to communicate more with her mom and siblings that live in Nevada.
Venditti, who lives at home with his mom and sister, says there has been some “passive aggressiveness” but that quarantining at home has “been pretty good, all things considered.”
He has been spending more time with his beagle, Sherlock. “He’s been my homie during COVID,” he says.
At home, Avila has noticed her relationships with her mom and older brother improve, “they’re way better,” she says.
Gyani Pradhan Wong Ah Sui, 18, of West Newbury, has lived with host families since his junior year in high school since his family lives in India, where he grew up. “I have more time to talk to them,” says Sui about his family back home.
For Sui, keeping up with friends is harder now. As a freshman in college, Sui and his high school friends are now living “separate lives,” and the isolation that comes with quarantine only makes them feel more separate.
Navigating relationships while in college can be tough for any young adult; trying to manage a romantic relationship or any dating life during a global pandemic can seem nearly impossible.
Avila and her boyfriend of 3 ½ years, took some time to adjust to the new conditions of dating in the time of COVID-19. They had to get used to not being “together all the time.” It took some work, but they are back to normal now, even “better,” Aliva says.
Venditti is currently single, “we’ll say it’s because of COVID,” he chuckled. Being 21 means being old enough to go to bars to meet new people, but the pandemic has taken that experience from Venditti for the time being.
Sui and his girlfriend of 1 ½ years, knew it would be difficult to continue their relationship when she was accepted into the University of Chicago, but they agreed to try and make it work. Sui was hopeful that with the pandemic, his girlfriend would be able to stay in the area, but it did not happen as he wished. The pandemic makes it harder to just catch a flight to visit on a random weekend or holiday, but Sui’s girlfriend was able to come home for Thanksgiving and they took all the necessary precautions to visit safely.
There is a heavy layer of stress added to in person social gatherings, so many people end up turning to the internet and social media.
“Life is online,” Sui says.
“Never had to do everything through this medium,” Venditti says. He is not a fan of dating apps but enjoysonline games and gatherings put on by NECC. “
Photo by Jocelyn Avila