Connection

With 2020 soon coming to an end, I can’t help thinking about how Covid-19 has caused many to live far more isolated and with much less physical contact with other people than normal. Social distancing and periods of quarantine have caused many to rely heavily on virtual contact and have left many with a sense of disconnect. I know this to be true for myself and for many people around me. 

To prevent the virus from spreading in our communities, most of us have been forced to cut down on our social contact and consequently found ourselves unable to care for our loved ones, and sometimes even ourselves, in ways we would normally do. From personal experience, I have found this to be both lonely and painful at times.

Feeling disconnected does not only impact the quality of our social life. It can also have serious implications for our mental and physical health. Research from Harvard Medical School shows that people who are lonely, depressed or isolated are more likely to get sick or even die prematurely compared to those who have a sense of love, connection and community.

All connection starts within and is created through self awareness and the act of self care. To feel connected, respected and ultimately loved by others, we must first of all feel this for ourselves. Being in touch with our inner love and kindness, we are able to show empathy and compassion for others. 

Although the understanding of self care has come a long way, many still associate this with being selfish, and consequently prevent themselves from taking sufficient care of themselves.  From my own life, I recognize the tendency to sometimes focus on the needs of other people at the expense of my own priorities and energy reserves... 

With the holiday season in front of us, I hope you will find time to not only reflect on the year gone by but also consider your personal intentions for 2021. And that you will be doing this in a way that balances external demands with inner desires, those that are truly meaningful and important to you and your sense of purpose.

Love,

Sille