I can relate to being socially awkward online, I also read more than post and only tend to reply if something really resonates with me. I avoid chatrooms because even though I type fast, they still move too quickly for me to keep up. Once the post I wanted to respond to is several pages away, my reply seems irrelevant somehow.

The last two years have been like nothing we've experienced before. I'm guessing that's the same for most people, except perhaps for those who suffer with agoraphobia. I always thought as an introvert, that not going out wouldn't worry me. But I guess it's different when it's imposed upon you and you don't have a choice in the matter.

Forums I think, are best used for one's own purposes. By that I mean don't expect a response (then you can never feel disappointed if you don't get one). Use them as a means to put one's thoughts into some semblance of order. To get thoughts and feelings out of your head and into the written form, where you can re-read and make sense, see things you didn't see before. If someone else responds and offers a different perspective, that's a bonus.

Communicating via zoom on the other hand, is a totally new experience for me, especially doing therapy in that format. I hate 'being seen' in real life, on the screen even more so. Even though we may actually be miles apart, talking to someone via a computer screen seems even more up close and personal than meeting with them in person does.

Like many people, I long for a return to the way things were pre-pandemic, but fear that the way things are is now the 'new normal'. I suppose as a species we will adapt and survive. I don't know if that will be possible for everyone though, myself included.

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