The Art of Connection: Overcoming Modern Isolation

The Loneliness Epidemic in Modern Times

In modern times, it has become increasingly difficult to keep in touch with friends, relatives, and loved ones. Whether it be distance, lack of free time, or politics, we are more divided than ever. Data shows that we have become a lonely species, with depression affecting a significant portion of people in developed countries. Social media, despite its promise, has largely been a failed experiment in fostering genuine social connections. It hasn’t helped us achieve more social time than before; in fact, it may have further damaged our social fabric. It teaches youngsters and older people alike to compare themselves constantly to unrealistic standards and to experience much more FOMO (fear of missing out) because we can see all the cool things people around the world — and especially friends — are doing without participating. And these are only a few of the negatives of pseudo-social time spent on “social” platforms, which are evidently anything but social.

We need to learn to outgrow social media if we are to regain true intimacy and connection with the people around us. And make no mistake, there are plenty of people to connect with around you. It’s ironic that people who live in high-density urban areas tend to feel most disconnected and alone, despite the thousands of people living around them who are feeling the exact same way.

Taking Action Against Loneliness

So what do we need to press the reset button? Do we need some cataclysmic change, perhaps the departure of unrealistic social expectations and social media platforms that feed on our perceived inadequacies, earning billions for their stakeholders? I would not hold my breath there, as there is little we can do as individuals, except perhaps boycotting them. But as individuals, we can carry out the change we want to see in the world, a sentiment often attributed to Gandhi (though its exact origin is debated, it remains an excellent point).

Let us be the individuals reconnecting with old friends, organizing social events for others to attend, and lending an ear to strangers, perhaps making a new friend in the process. We all yearn to connect, to be loved and listened to. Even the toughest son-of-a-bitch who pretends not to have any emotions would be miserable living alone on Mars — except perhaps if they were passionate about Martian soil, growing potatoes in their own poop, and only enjoyed talking to their stuffed animals. But I digress; (nearly) all humans yearn for connection. So be that connection. Be the node at the center of the spiderweb. Perhaps a nascent node, with only a few people connected to it, but much good can flow from a few individuals willing to reshape the social fabric of our modern societies.

So re-establish your social capital and grow your friends circle. If you are in the Vancouver (BC) area, reach out to me at [email protected], as I want to host events to improve my own social capital and make more friends. If you are in another city, feel free to sign up for the free app Bonfire, which I created to find custom events for you in your area, for people you would likely click with. In any case, whatever you decide to do after reading this blog, I urge you to join me and take this loneliness epidemic head-on! One gathering at a time, we can make a difference, bringing joy to friends, our community, and most importantly, ourselves.