“No one has the time or space to connect anymore. I feel so alone.”

A young man I am mentoring recently shared that with me.  I could feel the pain in his voice.  In his eyes, I could see his judgement of himself, as if he failed because he wasn’t managing to connect with others. 

I reminded him that he is not alone

that so many of us feel this sense of isolation. 

I reminded him that the isolation is part of the design

in a culture that is intended to divide us

so that we are weak enough to simply obey 

and go through the motions

in this very destructive system. 

As we spoke, we reflected 

and reminded ourselves

that we don’t need to try to change the whole system 

so that we can be well. 

It is enough to make a tiny change in your own personal sphere

to begin to feel a shift 

and reconnect with others. 

Authentic relationships are a doorway to health. 

Sometimes it is enough to just take a break from your phone 

for a few minutes 

to notice the natural world. 

This is something we talk about often in the women’s collective — how easy it is to fall into a routine of loneliness because you are so busy trying to accomplish day to day tasks, and how easy it is to break that routine by redirecting your attention. 

Sometimes you just need a reminder. 

It’s true, life is very full.  

If you’re feeling like you don’t have time or space to connect, 

try to take a few seconds to notice something around you

that brings you joy. 

and smile.   

You have already shifted something huge, just by doing something so small.  

Well done.