Updated: Jul 20, 2020
Carole Railton, co-founder of Behavioural Shift, writes about her
experience, as an extrovert, being isolated and alone at home in
London. Many will relate to her experience.
Human beings love relationships and the recent and continued social
distancing has challenged this.
Technology too has driven a desire to be in close contact with
people rather than just see them on screen. No longer do we love
waving on screen to colleagues and family; we would much rather hug
them or shake hands with them.
Moreover, there are many rules and regulations about wearing face
masks. In some places, such as shops, it is now mandatory to wear
one.
Consequently, in the UK, it will take a long time before our need to
be close to each other physically- which is a basic human instinct-
can be fulfilled.
Being confined to our homes in the past months without personal
contact with anyone is not healthy. To have a happy life includes
being in close contact with at least one other person. Science over
the years has shown us that close contact with another even helps us
to live longer and stay healthier.
I have been on my own throughout lockdown. I’m relatively lucky
because I’m still able to work. Since I have a garden, I was also
able to be outside when the sun was shining. (Much longer in
isolation though I think I might have been in trouble. And although
I’m used to working alone, I can’t contact my business partner
in my time zone because she is in New Zealand).
I am a social animal, an extrovert- an active photographer, art
student, theatre and film goer and often take part in jamming
sessions with local musicians. Unfortunately, I have been unable to
undertake any of these over the last four months and none of these
are currently planned for the coming month. Hence, my feeling of
isolation is acute even while I practise safe distancing and
behaviours that are dictated by the government to protect us.
Since I’m an extrovert I love interacting with people. This is
unlike introverts who find it far easier to be on their own and
reflect on their life situation without the need of others around
them.
Let’s hope that I get to grips with some of the introverted traits
in the next couple of months because more pandemics are forecast
this century.
Photo: by Carole Railton (copyright). "Standing together but apart".
