Challenge Yourself to...Connect More!

Eager to emerge from the loneliness of lockdown and socialize again? We’ve put together a list of 15 challenges for reconnecting with the people you care about—and making new friends too. Focus on a few activities, or pick one each day to try over the next two months. Pay attention to how your relationships flourish!

-  DIANA AYDIN

1 Create your own celebrations. Make up fun holidays for your friends or family (Wear Stripes Day, Pancakes for Dinner Friday, Tom Hanks Appreciation Week). Ask everyone to share photos of how they’re joining in.

2 Pray for someone you know well. For a week, dedicate your morning or evening prayers to one person in your inner circle. See what happens!

3 Pray for someone you don’t know well. Repeat #2 with a stranger, acquaintance or person you’ve lost touch with.

4 Try an icebreaker. Not sure how to reach out? Text or e-mail: “I’m going for a walk after dinner. Fancy a ‘walk and chat’?” “You popped into my head today. How’s life?” “I miss you! Want to catch up this week?”