Connection
“Connection is key.”
I have been feeling so disconnected of
late.
Have you ever had that feeling? Caught up
with life and work and not able to keep in touch with anyone, or work on that
project you’ve been meaning to do? I’ve been so busy at work of late that I
haven’t had time to dedicate to my writing.
I have several pieces that haven’t made it here yet.
I have several pieces that haven’t made it here yet.
Part of why I have been feeling so
disconnected was that I deleted my social media apps from my phone. After
watching “The Great Hack” on Netflix, about the abuses of Cambridge Analytica,
which I will be blogging about in another blog piece, I erased every phone
application that would gather user data on me and or listen to me when the
phone is turned on.
Trailer for “The Great Hack”:
It is ironic to think of life as
disconnected. Think about it: with all of the social media networks that exist
in the world, we are the most interconnected population that the Earth has ever
known. Any person in in any corner of the world, with a Wi-Fi or data
connection, can connect with anyone else in the world within seconds.
The possibilities for such connections
are reeling. Innovators can exchange
ideas with their creative partners. Friends can reconnect after days or years
apart. Family can share photographs of new babies, pets, work projects, and
more. The potential for human connection is immeasurable.
It is ironic of our society that, with
all of the potential for connection through social media and the internet, we
are more disconnected than ever. Everyone has their face in a phone or tablet,
not interacting with the world around them.
Take for example the TV show “Friends.”
One of the producers of the show made the comment that the show could never
work on television today. All of the Friends would still be at Central Perk,
but they would all be engaged in what was happening on their phones, not with
one another.
image source: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/josh-glancy-eight-lessons-the-tv-show-friends-can-teach-today-s-teenagers-6f3ggh8wv
In fact, there is such a disconnect in
our society that there is now an epidemic of loneliness. How is this possible?
For us to be the most connected population in the history of humankind, how did
this happen to us as a species?
Writer Alice Walton offers this thought
on the matter:
“….our
modern lifestyles, at least in certain countries, don't exactly lend themselves
to maintaining a meaningful social life. Variables like living by oneself, far
from family and friends, aging alone, a lack of meaningful community, among
others, are probably other significant contributors to the loneliness
epidemic.”
Loneliness is a very real problem in
today’s society. Last year, Great Britain created a new government appointment:
Minister of Loneliness.
In researching the definition of the word
“loneliness”, I found the statement: “Being
on your own, being alone.”
Being alone is different from being lonely. This
is a key distinction. Solitude can be a restorative, healing space. Loneliness,
however, is different. Here is one definition of loneliness:
“…distressing
experience that occurs when a person’s social relationships are perceived by
that person to be less in quantity, and especially in quality, than desired.”
Prolonged loneliness has been proven to
have dangerous side effects, in both our physical and mental health:
“Research
has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a variety of
physical and mental conditions: high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a
weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s
disease, and even death.”
I am reminded by a quote from author Brené Brown:
"We are hardwired to connect with others, it's what gives purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it there is suffering."
How can we cure this? How do we change as a society? How can we as a
society bridge the isolation that intrinsically comes from disconnection?
It seems that, the very thing to cure it,
is the exact opposite: connection. It is of vital importance to everyone to be connected to something, to someone.
I recently found this definition of "connection", again from author Brené Brown:
I recently found this definition of "connection", again from author Brené Brown:
“A connection is the energy that exists
between two people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give
and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from
the relationship.”
Connection will bring about change. It all begins with you.
Reach out to your friends and family. Meet your neighbors. Interact. Reach out to friends from
the past. Volunteer your time doing something you care about. Find like-minded
people. Create your own space. Build your own community.
Connection is key.
Our society, and our lives, depend on it.
“Vulnerability is
the birthplace of connection
and the path to the feeling of worthiness.”-Brené
Brown
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