Tips to surviving quarantine (during COVID) while being “in the closet”.
Written by a lesbian therapist in Long Beach.
Quarantine caught us all off guard a year ago. It was something we had never experienced before, so we had to learn to cope with the new living conditions. It was definitely something that many people didn’t like, because they were used to being active, traveling, hanging out and meeting new people. The LGBTQI population is additionally affected by quarantine like no other group.
A certain number of people still live “in the closet”, which in a situation when you remain “closed” with family members who do not know and potentially would not support you, can be very stressful and uncomfortable. The necessity of social distance has contributed to the LGBTQI population feeling additionally isolated due to the inability to spend time in an environment in which they will accepted (or at the very least to not feel rejected).
I wanted to help with a few perhaps very simple but useful tips on how to make quarantine at least a shade more enjoyable experience.
1. Reading books that include LGBTQI characters
– We all know how reading books can introduce us to their world, sometimes so much that we forget about the world around us. Especially if in some way we can identify with some of the characters. Fortunately, there are more and more books that include LGBTQI characters, so I’m sure everyone can find a book that will suit their taste.
2. Watching movies/TV shows that include LGBTQI characters
– Not everyone likes to read books. Some people are visual types, but there is a solution for them as well. In recent years, more and more movies and TV series include LGBTQI characters, so quarantine can be more interesting if we follow the story of someone like us and realize that we are not the only ones facing the problem of rejection. Try googling “LGBTQI movies” and see what you can find.
3. Online chats and forums
– Thanks to the Internet, it is much easier to be in touch with people from your community. While online communication cannot completely replace communication and socializing live, it can help us overcome feelings of loneliness. It is also a chance to meet new people, with whom you can spend a pleasant time after quarantine.
4. Contact a therapist
– If all of these previous activities don’t seem to help in overcoming the feeling of loneliness and anxiety and the days in the quarantine are too hard and tiring for you, then talking to a therapist can be a real solution. There are therapists who specialize in working with the LGBTQI population, so they will be able to better understand your problems, difficulties, how you feel and help you overcome it. Again, thanks to the Internet, you can communicate with a therapist online, so you can work on yourself from the comfort and safety of your room, and even the bed! You don’t even have to find a therapist near you. You can see any therapist who is licensed in your state. If you are looking for an LGBTQI therapist in Long Beach (or in California), please give us a call at 562-310-9741.