The pandemic had, and continues to have, an effect on our lives and relationships. Social dynamics have changed, work environments are different, personal relationships have shifted. We went from meeting our social, community, family and workspace needs in-person to staying at home more, communicating remotely.
Since 2021, business and social spaces alike started to reopen for full in-person interaction. Encouraging people to create and sustain authentic, meaningful relationships and end isolation was (and is) important when building those relationships up is a priority, and interactions with people who have different lifestyles and worldviews is important to maintaining a healthy relationship with the world as a whole!
In order for us to cultivate real connections as individuals often seeking to create community, it’s important to consider how we’re building those relationships. How can we move out of our comfort zones, how can we have new experiences and think differently? How can we respect the differences of others, and celebrate those differences as opportunities to learn? Getting to know people usually involves investing time, and that time is often spent somewhere public, somewhere neutral. Coffee shops, sporting events, restaurants, markets – all perfect venues to share an experience and spend time. As we continue moving forward past the pandemic, the value of those public spaces is clearer than ever.
We should remember to be more compassionate to each other and recognize the relationships with have with others are precious. We are all experiencing tough times and having people who can support you is a relationship based on trust, understanding and love.
(images via Christy Lawless, taken at Krill Restaurant)
“Best Foot Forward” is a regular column on Chapelboro written by local photography expert Trevor Holman. Each issue, expect tips to help put your best foot forward in the office, on the street and beyond. Born and raised in Chapel Hill, Holman has been a local headshot photographer for more than a decade, putting his talent as a visual storyteller to use providing professional headshots for individuals, businesses and industry leaders in the Triangle.
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