As a new mom, just divorced, and working remotely during the pandemic, 29-year-old Mayra Deras said she thought she was staying connected during lockdowns. However, she learned a tough lesson: online interaction is not the same as developing in-person relationships.
“Whether it be the Facebook groups or messaging, I was like, ‘Oh, I have a community’ — but not really. It was very superficial. When you have these social media friendships or communities, I wasn’t having any meaningful deep connections.”
She started experiencing debilitating loneliness, which included depression, and even blackouts in time.
“I felt like I was going through the motions, but I was doing it all. Then, when my son would go away for the weekends, I wasn’t leaving the bed,” she remembered. “I would sit there, and I’m like, ‘Get up, get up!”
Deras ended up taking short-term disability and got help through therapy.
I realized, oh, we do need people. We do need community. I need to get to know my neighbors.
She also found a new community of support through groups like Campaign for Childcare and ParentsTogether, which help to keep parents connected.
Mother Forward 