I’m sure we’re all feeling a lot of the same emotions during this time: fear, worry, stress, disappointment, boredom. I know the complexity of this global pandemic and am doing my part to stay at home and healthy, but it has also been hard for me to be away from friends. As a senior in high school, specifically an expat senior, my friends and I are going to colleges in different parts of the world and will probably never all be in the same place at the same time again. It’s disappointing not to be able to spend these last few months together, however, there are still some great ways that we can be together even while we’re at home in lockdown.

In this post I’m going to share 10 fun and creative ways to stay connected while you’re apart!

1. Virtual Zoom Backdrops

We all know how to use zoom right? BUT, you can make talking to your friends more fun by creating a virtual background or uploading a photo to pretend you’re all in the same place. My friends and I did this my setting our virtual background to our school’s cafeteria and eating lunch together!

2. Watch Netflix With Your Friends

‘Netflix Party’ has been getting super popular lately and there’s a reason for it! You and your friends can watch the same Netflix show together with this chrome extension. It’s almost like having a movie night, just from your own houses.

3. Play a Game Together

I’m not really a gamer, but it could be fun to tune in together at the same time to play games. If you have the free Houseparty app you can also play games with your friends during a video call.

4. Have a Virtual Bake Off

I swear everyone has been baking during lockdown! We finally have time to spend making those recipes that we’ve had pinned for years. Why not pick a recipe with friends and make it at the same time. Have a judge pick the winner (they won’t be able to taste it, so go crazy with the decorations!)

5. Join an Online Fitness Class

I’ve really been enjoying doing at home workouts over the past month, and if you need some motivation or you want to workout with friends, try an online fitness class. Here’s a link to an article listing all the virtual fitness classes offered.

6. Start an Online Book Club

If you don’t have time to read now, when will you ever? Pick out a book you’ve been dying to read and get your friends to read it at the same time. You can have weekly check-ins to discuss the book!

7. Check Out Virtual Events on Eventbrite

Eventbrite – usually a site used for finding events has now switched to offering virtual events for all your interests! They have things from lectures and workshops to conferences.

8. Travel Together…Virtually

My friends and I were planning to go on a senior trip together, that’s not going to happen now, but we can still travel together but just online. You can take a virtual tour of Disney World, The Great Wall of China, The Louvre, and Yosemite National Park.

9. Learn a Dance and Have a Virtual Dance Party

You might look silly, but it will be fun! Learn a dance together and video call at the same time to perform your dance and have a party.

10. Make a Playlist and Listen Together

Something I love doing for friends and family is creating playlists on Spotify for them. Why not create a playlist for your friends that you can all listen to while you’re at home in lockdown?

I hope you’ve enjoyed hearing my top recommendations for staying in touch while apart! Do you have anything to add to this list? If so, leave it in the comments.

See you next week,