Making Connections
Making connections is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves. When we look at the importance of connection we begin to see how it helps us combat feelings of loneliness and isolation. Loneliness and isolation have been proven to have detrimental effects on our mental health. Which is why connection is so key to living an abundant and fulfilled life.
We have infinite opportunities to create a sense of community when we begin to look for it. So this week, I want to focus on the abundance of connections we truly do have in our lives. Even though we are more connected through the internet than ever before in history, many people still feel very isolated and disconnected from the rest of the world.
I know I have felt that way many times before. Feelings of isolation and disconnection have really played havoc on my mental health. Yet when you begin to reach out and speak with others you quickly learn that you are not alone in these feelings or in the world.
Our ability to connect with others is always at our fingertips with the power of the internet. Which is wild because through the web you can connect with people across the world and create meaningful bonds. For example, I have been on podcasts out of the United Kingdom just from reaching out on posts looking for podcast guests on a facebook group focused on women helping other women entrepreneurs. I also speak weekly on another talk show through connections made by people across the globe all focusing on the same things (mindfulness, empowerment, growth). I have had people reach out to me on instagram, linkedin and through email because they read one of my books and wanted to connect over how the book impacted their lives or the lives of the kids they work with. It really is empowering to see the meaningful connections you can make when you are willing to step out of your comfort zone and really be intentional about the connections you are making.
I do realize that the ability to connect through the web also has darker sides. For example our ability to spend hours mindlessly scrolling through Instagram or Facebook making us more depressed and feeling less connected than ever. This is why we need to be really intentional about the connections that we are making and intentional about the time we spend using the internet as a medium for connection.
I still think the most meaningful and fulfilling connections are made in real life. For myself at my darkest times I found meaning and connection at the yoga studio. It didn’t matter what else was going on in my life I could always go to the studio and feel as though I was part of a community even if I didn’t talk to anyone the entire time I was there. Eventually from constantly showing up at the studio and being present in the space I made some of the best friends anyone could ever ask for. One friend even to this day laughs at me for how I would just go to class and never talk to anyone. I really didn’t need to talk to make connections, I just needed to show up and show up consistently. Then eventually people just started talking to me because they always saw me there. (I am a huge introvert so breaking the ice to talk to people is not my strong suit)
So if you are feeling that you are lacking at all today or this week, my challenge for you is to look at the abundance of connections you have. Take some time to see the positive connections you have in your life and maybe even reach out to someone you find inspirational online and connect with them. I know it has meant the world to me when people have reached out my way.
