THE PANDEMIC OF LONELINESS
I think we can all agree that we are living in a time that feels polarizing, isolating, and overwhelming. Every day we see division play out online and across social media. It can feel exhausting, and sometimes it’s hard to know what to say, if anything at all.
When I started posting on social media it was just that. It was social connection expressed through media, photos, videos comments and even connection. However, as these platforms have been populated they have taken on new tones and can be quite isolating and even discouraging at times. Instead of connecting us they are now dividing us. And we have to remember that what is happening online isn’t real life.
I’m reminded of this: if you walk into a café and simply observe, you’ll see people talking, connecting, listening. No one is yelling. No one is angry. There are no keyboard warriors asking you to unfriend or unfollow for simply having different view points. Instead people find common ground and act like what we refer to as “adults’. When humans gather face-to-face, decency and humanity lead the way.
HOW DO WE SOLVE
What’s missing in our culture isn’t more opinions shouted into the void. It is togetherness. The gathering. The face-to-face. Social media often becomes a hiding place where untruths spread, walls get built, and we become “keyboard warriors” to our own demise. At the same time, a very real pandemic of loneliness is spreading.
Here’s the good news: we have the power to change this.
If you feel isolated, you can take a step toward connection. If you see division, you can choose to be a bridge. And it all starts with one word: community.
3 WAYS TO CULTIVATE COMMUNITY AND FIGHT LONELINESS
1. Prioritize face-to-face interactions.
Be intentional about getting together with people, whether a small coffee date or a big group gathering. Don’t just look for what you can gain. Show up ready to invest. Make coffee days, plan walks or hikes, join a group like a run club and intentionally build new relationships. Be proactive.
2. Seek diverse and inclusive communities.
If everyone around you thinks the same way, it may only deepen polarization. Growth happens when we are around different perspectives. Be open-hearted, open-minded, and welcoming. Learn to expand your world by placing others around you who add or challenge your mindsets.
3. Bring humanity back online.
Before posting, ask yourself: Would I say this if I were sitting across from someone over coffee? Whether online or offline, practice having conversations that bring people together. Learn to ask yourself if what you are saying is gathering and unifying or is it furthering the divide.
I know it feels overwhelming at times, like the train is moving too fast to stop. But each of us has the chance to make small, daily contributions that shift things.
Technology may advance, but human connection will always be our anchor. Grab coffee with a friend. Go for a hike together. Share a meal. These simple moments push back against loneliness and remind us of what matters most: we need each other.
ADD THIS WELLNESS SPA TO YOUR BUCKET LIST
Basin at Chateau Lake Louise.
Lake Louise in Alberta is one of the most visited destinations in the world, and for good reason. With its iconic teal waters, surrounding mountain peaks, and hikes like the trail to Lake Agnes Tea House, it’s a place of unmatched natural beauty.
And just when you think it couldn’t get any better, Fairmont has unveiled Basin, a new hydrotherapy wellness spa featuring an infinity pool that overlooks some of the most pristine views on earth.
I had the chance to experience it myself, and it’s truly unforgettable. You can read the full story now on my blog!
ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE WEEK
You deserve to be happy and that means giving yourself the space and time you need to do what you love with you love. If you have the courage step out and try to cultivate a new friendship or establish a coffee date with a friend. Building your community is part of your growth.
Have the best week and stay tuned for more.
Scott