Long distance date ideas to help curb quarantine loneliness

This post was written during the pandemic and contains information specific to it.

One of the toughest parts of being in quarantine is the feelings of loneliness that comes along with it. When you’re used to living with or round the corner from you mates or significant other at uni, everyone getting displaced back to their home towns in a rush without a proper goodbye, can leave you feeling cut off or kind of trapped. But, to help get rid of that loneliness and give you back the date nights or movies nights you might be missing check out this list of quarantine-friendly date ideas!

Netflix party

This google chrome extension synchronises Netflix film playing across different screens, so you can have group movie nights/TV show binges with your mates no matter where they are! The app also has a chat box with your own customisable screen names and icons so you can talk with the group while you watch. Plus, the extension is free so as long as you have Netflix you’re good to go.

Video calls, but make them your own

There are so many apps out there to let you chat to your mates from wherever you are, and apps like House Party and Facebook Messenger also let you play games on the call as well as just chatting. But, as well as in-app stuff, you and your significant other or group of mates can think outside the box with your calls; maybe try a bake-off style cooking competition against each other, or have a virtual picnic! Setting aside a particular time every day/every week when you can sit down and call someone you’re away from will also help you break up your day, give you routine and of course give you something to look forward to.

Snail mail

If screen time is getting to much for you in quarantine, maybe try touching bases with the people you’re missing the old-fashioned way. Write a letter or put together a little care package to send to your partner, or paint/draw something new for mate to hang on their walls and brighten up the space they’re now spending so much time in. Plus, walking down to your nearest post box to send of your masterpieces will give you a chance for fresh air and exercise (just make sure you properly observe social distancing and hygiene practices as you do so).

Virtual card and board games

If you’re missing out on your family game night, why not try virtual board games! Games like Monopoly, Cards Against Humanity and Uno are all available to play online. Combine these with a video call and you can play like you’re used to, have a look around and see if you can find your favourite game.

Virtual holidays

Since many of our summer plans have been put on hold, why not check out some virtual tours together and pick out your next holiday destination together for when you can travel. Looking around online, many museums and galleries have their own online tours you can access online through their own sites or Google Arts & Culture. This includes place like the Guggenheim in New York City, as well as destination tours of spots like Machu Picchu and the Sistine Chapel in Italy. Or, if you’re in the mood for something spooky, a site called FrightBytes offers virtual haunted house tours where you work your way through different scary stories, like The Carnival of Terror or The Haunted Inn.