What a contradiction of modern life.
Messages, video calls and social media allow us to stay connected with people wherever they are the world over. Yet, despite being more digitally connected than ever, many of us can feel surprisingly socially disconnected or even isolated.
Working from home, busy lifestyles and spending more time online can make it increasingly easy to stay within our own little bubbles. Communication is now just the touch of a button. But genuine social connection still takes time, effort and, quite often, getting out of the house.
There was a time when making plans meant actually speaking to someone. Meeting for coffee, going to the cinema, booking theatre tickets, or just arranging a walk.
But now, a quick message replaces conversation, and a social media post can replace a catch-up. We can spend an evening scrolling through other people’s lives without moving from the sofa.
This is one of the reasons I love live entertainment. There is something magical about sitting in a theatre, concert hall, or stadium waiting for a live performance. Sitting amongst a crowd singing together, or laughing together – it can be such a rush of energy. A rush of emotion.
What made you laugh might not have been their funniest moment. It might have been a song you barely knew, but simply a trigger to days gone by, a person, a memory – and that’s the beauty of a performance.
Let’s not underestimate having things to look forward to. Having a date in the diary can lift an ordinary week. Somewhere to go. Someone to meet. Something new to experience. It can take us out of our routines and occasionally out of our comfort zones.
Ofcourse finding your tribe can be the difficult part. Circumstances change. Friendships end. Families become busier. Work life balance can be challenging. People move, and without realising one day we may find ourselves with less to look forward to.
Finding people we genuinely resonate with isn’t always easy, so connection needs to become intentional. Often experiences happen when we leave the house. When we sit beside someone we have never met before. Perhaps we laugh at the same joke, or share a difference of opinion about something we watched together on the way home.
Call me old-fashioned, but it turns out that making the effort, showing up, and sharing an experience is sometimes the best way to connect, finding somewhere to go, and someone to go with.
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