Why we need real connection 

(as well as online connection)

Online news. Social media. Advertisements. Influencers. YouTube. We are swamped by data on a daily basis. We now take in, and generate, more information than we have ever done. No wonder we are feeling overwhelmed and anxious.

The more time we spend online, the more we are disconnected from real life

The more time we spend online, the more we have become disconnected from real life. And the real people surrounding us.

Our inner world is also shaped by these influencers

We are also shaped by this information and by these so-called ‘influencers’. Consider how much time we spend online versus with our friends and our ‘real’ friends.

We are now more likely to be influenced by acquaintances on social media, rather than our besties and family members.

Humans need real connection in order to thrive

Connection makes us feel good.  We have evolved to need our tribe. Being connected to the tribe kept us safe. Excluding people from the tribe (or ‘sending them to Coventry’ as they say in my country of origin) is one of the cruellest things you can do to a person. Disconnection is one of the surest ways for a human being to become depressed.

Online connection is a poor substitute for real connection

This shallow connection provided in the online world might have got us through the pandemic, but it is REAL connection that heals us and will decrease anxiety levels.

We also tend to loose contact with our inner voice when we focus so much the online world.  Our focus becomes ‘out there’. We cut off from our bodies, we forget to listen to our inner world.

We need to disconnect from the online world 

(and connect more with real life and the natural world)

I’m currently visiting my family in England for the first time since before Covid. So I’m getting a lot of real connection and I’m lapping it up after two years of disconnection.

But I’m also taking time out to reconnect with myself and the natural world. This afternoon I spent time down by the river at the bottom of my mum’s garden. I just needed some quiet time to reconnect with the natural world. And I got it in spades. Ducks, Canada Geese and Swans. A riotously noisy afternoon!  Click the image to hear the ruckus.

Want to read more about this phenomenon of disconnection?

I’m reading a very cool book called ‘Disconnected’ by Emma Gannon – available from all good book retailers.

So why not close this email and “say hi to your mum for me” (thanks Rove)