Have you ever found yourself, scrolling for hours, maybe feeling a bit low, indulging in comfort food or drinks, or perhaps splurging on online shopping sprees? It’s easy to put the blame on boredom or procrastination, but sometimes, it could be a sign that you are craving a deeper connection.
Not feeling connected can lead to feeling of loneliness, which instinctively we will try to avoid at any opportunity.
Do We Really Need to Feel Connected to Others to Live a Happy, Healthy Life?
Absolutely. Connection isn’t just something we talk about in passing, it’s a fundamental need for our mental and physical well-being. I want you to know that if you struggle to find people that you can connect with, you are not alone.
I don’t know whether this is an age thing, or its just me. But I do find it harder to meet people who I can have a meaningful connection with these days. The older I get, finding and nurturing what I call ‘my tribe’, isn’t always a walk in the park. Maybe you can resonate with this too?
I know I am most happy when I feel that I am surrounded by people that I feel connected to.
The way in which we live in the world these days can mean that close friends and family are spread across the country or the world, living their own busy lives. Distance and time zones differences, can have an impact on feeling connected. However, location doesn’t always mean that you feel connected either. Nurturing new and existing connections can be challenging and spending time with the wrong people can lead you to feeling less connected and lonely.
What Does Feeling Connected Really Mean?
Here, I am talking about real connection, not the number of friends on Facebook or followers on Instagram.
Ultimately you want to spend your time with those with whom you can have both fun and frivolous conversations but also meaningful conversation too. It’s about sharing our dreams, fears, and everything in between with someone who accepts us for who we are.
It’s easy to start to feel a bit lost, isolated, or that you don’t belong when you are finding it hard to develop real connections with people. Especially when you see others easily enjoying themselves, looking happy and you feel like you are missing out, because that’s what you are craving.
Feeling Connected to Those We Spend Time With
Know that you don’t have to be on your own or single to feel less connected. Although being on your own can exacerbate them at times. You could be married, living with your partner or family.
Even when surrounded by loved ones, you can still feel disconnected if our values and beliefs don’t align. Sometimes just being aware of this, can help you to feel less alone.
As we grow and evolve, it’s natural for our relationships to shift. You may even feel a bit of a loss of a person, because the connection has been lost too.
We all want to be seen and understood by those we spend our time with. We want to feel free to be vulnerable, and a bit of a hot mess at times, too. Knowing that by showing up authentically, it’s not only healthy for us but that we also give others permission to do the same, and that’s where the real connections are made!
3 Strategies to Feel More Connected & Have a Happier, Healthier Life
Here are 3 strategies that you could consider trying, to help you on your journey to feel more connected to those around you, and have a deeper connection with yourself.
- Be Your Authentic Self
- Take a moment to reflect on your true self and what makes you uniquely you. Embrace it and learn to fully love yourself.
- Make a commitment to show up authentically in your interactions with others, whether it’s expressing your true feelings or sharing your passions and ideas.
2. Spend Quality (not quantity) Time With Loved Ones
- Schedule regular, uninterrupted time with your loved ones to connect on a deeper level. Try something like walking or cooking, so that it feels more natural and less pressure to ‘create connection’
- If you can’t be together in person, try talking on the phone, rather than Facetime. Have a list of topics to hand that you know you have a shared interest in to refer to, in case you feel things could feel awkward or forced.
3. Nurture Social Connections
- Reach out to old friends or acquaintances you’ve lost touch with and make plans to reconnect. They will have grown too; you might now have more in common than you think now.
- Seek out opportunities to meet new people who share your interests or values, whether it’s through community events, hobby groups, or online forums.
My wish is that if you are feeling less connected, taking time to try some of these suggestions may help you to manage those feelings. To have deeper more meaningful relationships and experience a happier, healthier life.
I hope that you find this helpful and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
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