We can all agree that this past year has been challenging. Whether you’ve experienced loss among your family and friends, confusion navigating life online or hardships that come naturally with the chaos of the pandemic, know that you’re not alone. For me, this past year has been especially lonely without much physical contact with my family and friends and spending way too much time in my room. It’s hard to feel connected to folks on a screen — instead of feeling goosebumps when a room roars with laughter, now I see mute buttons and people nodding their heads, laughing in their own separate universe.

Let’s change this. Let’s lift each other up. Here are some tips that we at the Clog practice whenever one of us is feeling lonely.

Take care of yourself

This may seem obvious, but not enough of us do it. Go take a bubble bath. Go on a grocery store run and fill up your cart with nourishing items that you know your body needs, whether that be vegetables or chocolate. Go to sleep early and don’t be afraid to sleep in if you don’t have a morning class. At this age, our bodies need seven to nine hours of sleep, not three hours of TikTok and four hours of sleep. Go watch the sunset if that’s what you’ve been dying to do for the past month. Basically, go do something for yourself.

Seek out positive and supportive relationships

Although it’s a bit harder to stay connected with friends over Zoom, make the extra effort to reach out to those you know care about you. Talk to someone about how you are feeling, whether it’s a therapist, family member or close friend — don’t be afraid to open up to those you trust.

Remember you are important and strong

Don’t ever forget that your feelings are valid. Feelings of loneliness are completely normal, and somewhat expected during a pandemic. Own it, talk about it, work through why you feel this way. The more honest we are with ourselves, the better. Acknowledge how you’re feeling and make a game plan to shift things around in your life that needed to be shifted a long time ago. Don’t be afraid to make changes because, at the end of the day, you are important and strong no matter what.

We’re living in unprecedented times and there are countless people in the same boat, feeling lonely and stuck. Don’t forget to take care of yourself and treat yourself like the queen or king you are. Challenge yourself to reach out to those you’re close with to talk to them about how you’re feeling. Being able to talk things through is tremendously helpful for so many reasons, trust me. But most importantly, never forget to remember your worth, your strength of character and how truly special you are.