• Since May 19 and the reopening of the terraces, many young people have resumed a more intense social life.

    And this is just the beginning, since this Wednesday, the curfew goes to 11 p.m.

  • A resumption of relationships in the flesh that is welcomed as a form of liberation for them.

  • Even if for some, post-Covid-19 social life will not quite resemble that of the world before ...

“On May 19, I rushed to a terrace with my best friends. The atmosphere was amazing. And since then, I've been going out to see all the people I haven't seen for ages. With deconfinement, we find the flavor of simple things, and it brings color to life, ”testifies Victoire, 19, who lives in Aix-en-Provence. Like her, many young people have taken advantage of the reopening of the terraces since May 19. And they intend to appreciate the new stage of deconfinement this Wednesday, which will mark the reopening of sports halls, the interior spaces of bars and restaurants. And especially the change of the curfew at 11 p.m. “My social life is more intense, I see people again,” says Jérémy, 27, who lives in Bordeaux. I have a feeling of freedom. And from Wednesday,I will be able to play sports with friends. Then I would like to be able to travel abroad ”.

This eagerness to meet is equal to the difficulty that the young people had to endure the successive restrictions for more than a year. Including the closure of cafes and restaurants, which lasted more than six and a half months. “The interactions were complicated, because the young people did not know where to meet, analyzes the psychologist and psychotherapist Dana Castro. In addition, the students were deprived of the atmosphere of university life, and for those who were already in the labor market, teleworking was a factor of isolation, difficult to bear in the long run, and which deprived of unforeseen exchanges with colleagues. If they felt this dotted social life harshly, it is because for this age group, the priority is the relationship with the other ”. A feeling of frustration that Jérémy sums up well:"When we have remained so locked up, the desire to go out is increased tenfold."

"Seeing new faces, it allows you to open your mind"

It is therefore clear that the desire to resume going out is obvious: "The cafes are full, which shows the need for freedom and to savor the illusion of returning to life before," resumes Dana Castro.

This signals a form of relief after the difficult period that the young people went through.

The pleasure of sharing earthly foods is as strong as that of feeding on others ”.

The return to social life also allows young people to rediscover a form of levity that had been impossible until then, as Victoire testifies: “We don't talk about substantive subjects, we just want to laugh”.

With the reopening of places for socializing, it is also the possibility of making new encounters which is triggered again: “I really want to meet new people. It will be easier than before the pandemic, because when I'm on the terrace, I see that we talk more spontaneously from one table to another. As if what we had experienced had created cohesion among young people, ”notes Victoire. “What we missed were the meetings outside our groups, which were very rare, and especially improvisation, strolling. I'm so happy to just go have a beer without worrying about where and with whom. It's the return of spontaneity, ”confirms Manu, 25. "Seeing new people, it allows you to open your mind", also considers Jérémy. With a beneficial effect:“New encounters transform and enrich individuals,” says Dana Castro.

"A sorting of friends was carried out during this period"

However, the social life of some will not be quite the same as before the pandemic: “A sorting of friends has been made.

Some gave little news and I lost sight of them, ”says Jérémy.

"With the Covid-19, my third circle of friends has crumbled", also informs Victoire.

“This pandemic has tested friendship.

Some have not lived up to the expectations of their loved ones.

This can lead to settling of scores in this period of deconfinement, ”underlines Dana Castro.

The health crisis was therefore an opportunity to rethink its relationships: “Many people have also made resolutions and feel the need for renewal.

This gives rise to reconciliations with old friends, ”notes the psychoanalyst.

For some, the lifting of restrictions can also lead to an intensification of social life compared to what it was before: “This frenzy of relationships is a form of compensatory freedom. But that can lead, in certain cases, to excessive alcohol consumption, fatigue… ”, warns Dana Castro.

Conversely, the pandemic has caused some apprehension of others.

Like Carla: "With the delayed curfew and my vaccination, I'm thinking of going out again and seeing people, but it's a question that stresses me out."

Ditto for Pédro, 27, from Aix-en-Provence: “Since May 19, I've only been to the pizzeria once with a friend.

Because I'm afraid of feeling attacked by others.

And I don't want to make plans for the second phase of deconfinement ”.

“The resumption of social life is not automatic for everyone,” concludes Dana Castro.

Some have become accustomed to silence and loneliness.

They have to relearn how to deal with others ”.

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  • Coronavirus

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  • Youth