Finally being able to reconnect with friends is making plenty of folks excited, but also anxious.

Here’s how to make it less awk.

They feel as if theyve forgotten how to socialize.

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Do you surround yourself with people who drain your energy?

Even under ideal circumstances, the first few times you hang out with friends again may feel foreign.

And while long-distance conversations can help people connect, theyre not a substitute for face-to-face time.

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

psychotherapist and author

Some people may have learned the value of friendship and [in-person] interactions, Dr. Morin says.

Shared meals and common experiences might not be taken for granted once theyre able to happen again.

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

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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