Living through a pandemic has given us many intense challenges to navigate as we collectively adapt to a new-normal way of life.
For me, knowing that freedoms can come and go in an instant and that an unchecked cough could shut down an entire school means that I have never needed my friends more.
During the recent lockdown in NSW, my weekly walks in the sunshine with a couple of close friends were also therapy sessions.
When one of us had experienced a terrible week of sick kids, homeschool and COVID tests, the other would listen and offer condolences. It was a chance for us to unpack and feel heard while getting time away from our homes and family. There was also plenty of laughter too.
The things we'll never say in 2021. Post continues below.
But I know that this is not the case for many other women around me.
While some have formed unbreakable bonds with people they barely knew; thrown together by circumstance, others have let unfulfilling friendships fade away.
We asked eight women how pandemic life changed their friendships. Here's what they had to say:
Top Comments
When I realised that lockdown was going to lift, I reached out to organise a catch-up ASAP, even though I knew they wouldn't be able to do it for a while. I just wanted the hope of seeing them because my mental health was beginning to falter. They were keen, but the busiest failed to nominate a date. I gently nudged and then organised a catch-up without them. We tried to discuss it by phone, but all I hear is that she is really busy and overwhelmed and can only make time for me if I'm in a mental health crisis. As I respect her time and energy, I've come to the conclusion that I really need to wait for her to make contact and organise things. Part of that will be not inviting her to group events. It doesn't feel right, but I don't know what else to do.