Togetherness’ is both an objective experience and a psychological one.

"It’s important to remember that ‘togetherness’ is both an objective experience and a psychological one.” Gregory Walton

Making sense of our feelings when we are experiencing loneliness is not easy. Mindfulness about what our feelings of loneliness are rooted in shifts the way we make sense of things. We realize that opening our minds to a new perspective on what we are experiencing can qualitatively change our sense of self, others, and the social situations in which we find ourselves.

Physically together and psychologically together are distinct things. You can be with others physically yet feel lonely. You can also be physically separated yet still feel connected. Even if you are each alone, you both know that you are in each other’s thoughts. That sense of connection is something we have the ability to cultivate intentionally. 

If you are feeling lonely, you certainly are not alone in that experience. With the pandemic raging across our country limiting our opportunities to engage with others in person, levels of loneliness have increased for so many of us. 

Reaching out to others with a thoughtful inquiry or a gesture of gratitude can make an immediate difference. When you are thinking of another and they know you are thinking of them, you can viscerally feel the psychological connection. You are contributing to the strength of the connection.  Even if you are each physically apart from each other knowing that you are in each other’s thoughts can positively influence the way we sense the time and space around us. Physical separation need not mean social isolation.

Staying connected with your authentic self is the basis for all other connections. Self-care involves mindfulness about the perspective we are taking on things. 

Click to receive my free workshop activity "34 Bold and Creative Self-Care ideas."  Staying connected with your authentic self is the basis for all other connections.