Over the last couple of years, many of us have had multiple meetings on zoom including everything from doctor’s appointments, work meetings, professional and personal conferences, job interviews, etc. It was a lifesaver during the pandemic, but now is a good time to question if this becomes a default pattern out of convenience and what we lose in the process. Personally, working from my bedroom office hasn’t been highly motivational for me. We are all so very highly connected but also isolated in many ways.
Naming the losses and what you observe is an important first step. The new normal should include the best of both worlds. Some people may have never met their colleagues in person, which means that important connections are lost. Virtual conferences are convenient and increase geographic access, but much of the networking benefits are lost such as meeting in person over a meal.
Personally, I have missed in-person yoga classes. It’s easy to not pay attention. I miss the teacher making hands-on adjustments and being able to see a 3D example of the pose is helpful for me. I miss giving hugs and handshakes when you meet a new person. It’s easy to lose eye contact when you are staring at a screen of boxes during a zoom meeting. Seeing all the nuances of someone’s expressions and reactions are also lost.
Reflect on what you miss in the virtual world. What’s one step you can take to meet in person instead of virtually? We have more choices than we may realize, but we have to make a conscious choice in this area.
