The Weak-Ties We All Need Right now

This week I was doing a bit of poking around on the Internet looking for some lesson plan inspiration. The lesson I was writing was about acquaintances. I came across a bunch of articles and research discussing the importance of “weak-tie” relationships: co-workers, the barista, friends of friends. You know, those people in our lives that we might see once in a while but don’t feel particularly close to and might not invite to a party you’re hosting.

It’s been hard to see these people since CoVid hit in March. The weak-ties we have in our lives provide us a sense of community and make us feel connected beyond our immediate circles. We meet new people through these weak-ties, we practice social graces and build larger networks. They are like cotton, the fabric of our life.

The feeling of disconnection one can feel when they can’t see acquaintances is powerful. I know I have felt it. Not only have close friends and even family been kept at a distance since March, but the routines of going to work and seeing coworkers and our barber and bartenders and going to gatherings where we might not know everyone have all but disappeared.

So how are people filling those voids?

Strangely enough, I have found myself in a Madden league. It started with one good friend and Madden 2020, then we added another buddy, then that new buddy invited two of his friends. Suddenly we had a group of five guys, all of whom had never been in the same room together. We have a text chain, we talk some trash, bets are made, we chat on our dorky headphones when we play against each other.

I’ve also just recently started to reach out to people in my “golf twitter” world to have them on the podcast. It’s been another great way to talk to new people about a shared interest. In one instance, a guest on my pod lives on the same street I do, but we were connected through another guest I had on my podcast last week.

I’m not entirely sure these things happen if I’m not cooped up in the house for 7 months. Is it a silver-lining? Absolutely. As we head into the darkened winter and the clocks fall back on Sunday night, I think we all need to seek out some weak-ties to give us a sense of community and belonging.