I came across a post on instagram that said: We’re Not Separate

“We’re Not Separate. The illusion of separateness is at the root of most suffering. Everything is interconnected—ecologically, energetically, emotionally. What we do to others, we do to ourselves.”

I’m definitely not immune to the scroll of social media, every now and then I come across one of those familiar therapy-style slideshows. You’ve probably seen them too. Some feel a bit off, others really land. Recently, I saw one that felt deeply aligned with something close to my heart: withness - the power of healing through connection.

It reminded me how easy it is to forget how deeply connected we really are… to each other, to nature, to the wider world. When life feels heavy or we’re going through something hard, it’s common to feel alone or separate. Sometimes we want to be alone or seperate in the depth of the feelings. But often, just a small pause can help us remember the threads that quietly hold us. A moment outside, tuning into the rustling leaves, the light on your skin, the sounds around you; all of it can gently bring us back to ourselves and to something bigger.

Even our smallest actions, the tone we take with ourselves, the way we show up with others, ripple outward. Have you noticed how different your day feels when you’re being hard on yourself, compared to when you meet yourself with a bit more gentleness?

Psychology and neuroscience both affirm what humans have always known: we are social beings. Wired for connection. Our emotional and even physical wellbeing is deeply shaped by the quality of our relationships. Historically, our survival depended on the safety of belonging and in many ways, it still does. When we show up with compassion, whether toward others or ourselves, we’re actually reinforcing that sense of safety, meaning and purpose. Our nervous systems respond. Our bodies soften.

The need to belong is not a luxury, it’s as essential as food and shelter. Remembering our interdependence doesn’t make us weak, it reminds us that we’re human. That we’re part of something larger. And that can be deeply comforting.

So I’m curious - how do you nourish real, emotionally supportive connection in your life? What helps you feel with others, and not alone?