In the midst of the pandemic, making new friends seems to just not be a thing.

Here, mental health experts discuss the effects of not socializing.

So in addition to being a doozy, 2020 has also become the year of no new friends.

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Zoom hangouts and socially distant walks would have sounded like word salad until four months ago.

But what are the effects of not socializing as were accustomed to or making new friends?

Will pre-existing personality types have anything to do with how we approach socializing?

Two people’s legs touch under a table as they work on their laptops.

clinical psychologist, life fulfillment expert, and author ofDate Smart,Joy From Fear, andAging Joyfully

Consider jumping in a pool instead of getting in slowly.

Jaclene Jason,psychiatry program directoratSouth Oaks Hospitalin Amityville, New York, agrees.

While others may have different beliefs or needs, its important to stay aligned with your personal truth.

Books on grief are seen floating against a backdrop of clouds.

This might mean keeping your relationship to digital-only and/or agreeing to not broach issues relating to social habits.

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Michelle Monaghan, Carrie Coon, and Leslie Bibb in The White Lotus, symbolizing toxic friendships.

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Courtesy Berkley Publishing