Connection — What We’re Really Craving

As we wrapped up our New Year’s Breathe Retreat at Elohee Retreat Center, one theme continued to surface again and again — across conversations, reflections, quiet moments, and shared experiences. That theme was connection.

Connection with others.

Connection with ourselves.

Connection to nature, to our breath, and to something greater than us.

Connection to our bodies, our intuition, and our inner knowing.

No matter how differently each woman arrived at the retreat, it all seemed to come back to the same thing. Beneath the intentions, the rest, the reflection, and the rituals, there was a shared longing to feel connected — truly connected — in ways that feel grounding, honest, and real.

A World That’s Constantly Connected — But Not Always Connected

We live in a world where we are more digitally connected than ever before. Social media, emails, text messages, notifications — it’s a constant stream of communication available to us 24/7. We can reach almost anyone at any time. We can access information instantly. We can stay “in touch” without ever hearing a voice or looking someone in the eyes. And yet, so many people feel more disconnected than ever.

Which raises an important question: what about real connection?

What about the conversation you had with a stranger that stayed with you longer than you expected? The walk you took in the woods where you finally slowed down — maybe even touched the trees (yes, I am that person who will always encourage you to touch the trees). The group where you feel understood simply by showing up, without needing to explain or perform. These are the kinds of connections many of us are craving — and often missing.

Why We’re Craving Connection So Deeply Right Now

Connection isn’t just a preference; it’s a biological and emotional need. Our nervous systems are wired for it. When we feel safe, seen, and understood, our bodies begin to regulate. Breathing slows. Muscles soften. Our capacity to think clearly, feel deeply, and respond rather than react increases.

Disconnection, on the other hand, doesn’t always look like loneliness. Sometimes it shows up as over-functioning. Emotional exhaustion. Anxiety. Numbness. Or the feeling that you’re doing everything “right,” yet something still feels off.

In a fast-paced world that values productivity, independence, and constant availability, it’s easy to lose touch — not just with others, but with ourselves.

What We’re Seeing in the Therapy Office

We’re not only witnessing this need for connection in retreat spaces — we’re seeing it every day in our therapy offices, especially as one year ends and another begins.

In just the past few weeks, clients have shared that they’ve:

• Deleted social media accounts

• Removed work email from their personal phones (yes, you’re absolutely allowed to do that)

• Set boundaries with loved ones to create healthier, more meaningful connection

• Named a deep craving for connection they’ve been ignoring for far too long

  
  

There’s a collective awareness unfolding. People are beginning to recognize that being constantly reachable does not equal being connected. That staying busy is not the same as feeling fulfilled. That something needs to shift.

Because of this, it became immediately clear that connection would be our theme for the year ahead in the office.

Slowing Down to Reconnect

Real connection rarely happens by accident. It requires intention. It asks us to slow down — to make eye contact, to listen without planning a response, to be present without multitasking.

Sometimes that looks like picking up the phone instead of sending a quick text. Sitting with discomfort long enough to speak honestly. Creating space in your schedule for people, not just tasks. And maybe — just maybe — knocking on a neighbor’s door to say hello. (Okay, that one might be a stretch… but you get the idea.)

Connection doesn’t have to be dramatic or profound all the time. Often, it’s quiet. Simple. Subtle. But it almost always requires presence.

Creating Space for Community and Connection

Because connection is so essential, it often needs to be created intentionally. That’s why we’re excited about the spaces we’re offering this year — not just in therapy, but in community.

On February 3rd, Tori and I will be hosting a Community Circle — an evening designed for like-minded individuals to gather in a supportive, grounded, and welcoming space. This isn’t about fixing or performing. It’s about slowing down, sharing space, and experiencing the regulation that naturally comes from being with others who are also seeking something deeper. This circle will be held monthly at our office as an ongoing opportunity for connection and community.

We’re also hosting an Open House on February 6th at 11:00 AM. This is an open invitation for our community — clients, friends, colleagues, and anyone curious — to come see the space, enjoy a cup of coffee, say hello, and connect in a low-pressure, welcoming way.

And for those craving a deeper, more immersive experience, registration for our August Breathe Retreat is officially open. We anticipate this retreat will sell out, so if you’ve been feeling called to join us, we encourage you to secure your spot early.

A Personal Reflection

I know the power of connection because I’ve lived it. Over the past year, intentionally prioritizing meaningful connection — with people I love, with my community, with nature, and with myself — has been genuinely life-changing.

It’s shifted how I move through the world, how I show up in my work, and how I care for my own nervous system. It’s reminded me that we aren’t meant to do life alone. That healing doesn’t happen in isolation. That being witnessed, understood, and supported matters more than we often realize.

As we move forward into 2026, my hope is that each of us finds small, intentional ways to reconnect — with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us. Because at the end of the day, so much of what we’re longing for begins with connection.

Please follow along on our social media for upcoming events, and visit our website to learn more and register. We can’t wait to continue building connection together.

With so much love,

Jessie Henry