What is connection and why is it important? Connecting with others is a human need and can take place in a variety of ways. The interactions we have in life-whether it’s saying hello to a neighbor, talking to a stranger at the grocery store, or talking with a dear friend-all contribute to our overall well-being. These interactions have been significantly compromised over the last two years and the negative impact of decreased human connection is becoming more apparent. In today’s blog, I am giving you some suggestions on how to reconnect more meaningfully.
Our overall capacity for things such as patience, understanding, and compassion for others have greatly decreased, and if we want to return to a more enjoyable way of coexisting, then we all need to be mindful of this and take some steps to curb it.
A few suggestions come to mind when considering how to do this:
Start small
It is unrealistic to think we can go back to how things “used to be” and I am not sure that we should want to. This was a learning opportunity of understanding what really matters, and we should be making small adjustments to be better for ourselves and others.
Try something new
Join a new activity or volunteer for something you have always wanted to be a part of. By taking this step, we will challenge our capacity in ways that will increase our ability to understand the importance of connecting with others, since we will have to think outside of the box we are accustomed to.
Help someone or ask for help yourself
Compassion for others has been compromised over the last few years and it will not automatically bounce back. We need to push ourselves to offer support or reach out and allow to get more comfortable looking out for others or feeling vulnerable when needing help.
Connect to yourself, first
Distractions are everywhere, and quite literally at your fingertips. Find ways to switch off and listen to yourself and your emotions. Allow yourself to understand where you are at and what you need. If you are not connected with yourself, emotions don’t stop, and you have a harder time identifying where they are coming from.
I am choosing to stay optimistic about our future as a society, and I also know that it is going to take time and effort from everyone. Let’s all be kind to each other and strive for better!
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