Lonely… Me?

Well, yeah. Sometimes.

As an introvert, I am mostly happy sat in my home office working on my own, listening to the birds chirping outside. But I do occasionally feel as though I should be interacting more with my fellow humans. I speak to people all day long in a legal capacity, and so certainly don’t lack actual conversations. But social conversations are not as common… the little chats in the kitchen when you’re waiting for the kettle to boil, the saying “hi” to people on the stairs, walking to Boots together at lunchtime. Not so much post-Covid.

I live quite far from the office and so don’t make the effort to go in as much as I used to. It’s only recently that I’ve been thinking I should do something about this.

A few of you have told me that you’re feeling disconnected and lonely in this new era where we have waaaay more flexibility (hooray), but less easy social interaction (boo). The flexibility that Covid has brought us is truly an amazing thing; something the history books will talk about, and not something I take for granted as a mother of two young-ish kids who still need a lot of looking after.

But I do miss the little chats that required so little effort but were, in retrospect, so very valuable. How do we find out what everyone is watching on telly (which is better – The Last of Us or The Mandalorian)? Or find out whether everyone will be celebrating the Coronation and what the drink de jour will be if so? (Pimms or champers?) Or what everyone’s weekend plans are (I’m so nosey).

Apparently, loneliness is really bad for you. Like, smoking bad (the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day, apparently). Our human brains evolved when we lived as part of a larger tribe, and so we are designed to survive and thrive when we feel connected to each other. Without this, we can start to feel under threat. Add to this our careers as lawyers (um… we argue for a living!) and it can all get a bit much.

So, I have a suggestion: let’s have a regular community chat. By video so we can see each other (although not as good as in person, granted). We can check in on each other, say hi, share good news, vent about terrible clients, recommend books, films, whatever comes up… It can be a drop-in session and if you can make it, great; if you can’t, absolutely fine. Come late or leave early - you’ll be welcome any time.

Question time. Would you be interested in attending a regular video chat with Female Lawyers’ Club? Say, one lunchtime (possibly Wednesday as I suspect that’s when most people are in work).

Could you do me a favour and send me an email with Y or N? I won’t hold you to it, I promise!... just trying to gauge interest at this stage.

Have a great week.

- Rachel