There’s something happening in the way we connect with each other, and unfortunately, many of us are feeling the effects.

More than ever, we’re turning to technology instead of real-life experiences to feel connected. Instead of meeting up in person, we’re video chatting. Instead of working in shared spaces, we’re working from home. Instead of calling, we’re texting.

At first, it seemed like a great solution—more convenience, more flexibility, more ways to stay in touch. But over time, something shifted.

Now, instead of deepening our relationships, technology is replacing them altogether.

And many of us are feeling the impact.

Why We’re Feeling More Isolated in a “Connected” World

On the surface, it looks like we’ve never been more connected. We can reach anyone at any time. We can see what our friends are doing through their stories and updates. We have entire communities online.

But if we’re being honest with ourselves?

Many of us feel more alone than ever.

Because there’s a difference between access and presence.

We can reach people, but that doesn’t mean we’re truly with them.

We can send a message, but that doesn’t mean we’re truly heard.

We can check updates, but that doesn’t mean we truly know each other.

What used to feel like a gift—instant connection—has started to feel hollow.

Why Relying on Words Alone is Leading to More Misunderstandings

One of the biggest shifts we’ve seen is that people now rely almost entirely on words to understand each other—without the deeper context that real-life experience provides.

Before, when we spent more time physically around people, we naturally picked up on things like:

• Their tone of voice and energy shifts over time.
• How they react in different situations—not just in conversation.
• The small, unspoken ways they show who they really are.

But now? Most of our interactions are happening through text, chat, and social media.

Which means we’re trying to understand people based only on what they say (or don’t say).

And that’s a problem.

Because words can only communicate so much.

• Someone might express frustration in a message, but you don’t see how they soften later.
• Someone might not respond right away, and you assume they don’t care—when in reality, they’re struggling with something in their own life.
• Someone might try to explain something, but without seeing who they are beyond their words, you miss the full meaning.

This is why so many misunderstandings, conflicts, and judgments are happening now more than ever.

We think we understand each other—but really, we’re only seeing a small piece of the picture.

The Limitations of Video Calls in Building Real Connection

To bridge this gap, many of us turn to video calls, thinking they’re the next best thing to in-person time. And in some ways, they help—we can see facial expressions, hear voices, and feel slightly more connected.

But even with video, we’re still missing something essential.

• Energy exchange. You can’t fully feel a person’s presence through a screen.
• The little, natural interactions that shape connection. How someone moves through the world, how they handle everyday moments, how they exist beyond a structured conversation.
• Full body language. Even with a clear video, we still miss the subtle shifts, micro-expressions, and in-person signals that give meaning beyond words.

So while video calls may feel better than texting, they still don’t replace what we get from truly spending time with people in real life.

The Trap of Using ChatGPT to “Analyze” People & Situations

Another layer to this is how many people now turn to AI (like ChatGPT) to analyze human interactions—without realizing how misleading that can be.

Because ChatGPT doesn’t know people. It knows language patterns.

Which means:

👉 It can be easily influenced by our own biases.

👉 It doesn’t have real-world experience—it only has data.

👉 It can give logical explanations, but emotions and relationships aren’t just logical.

Many people unknowingly manipulate ChatGPT’s responses simply by the way they phrase their questions.

For example:

• If you ask AI, “Why is this person emotionally unavailable?”, it will assume they are emotionally unavailable and try to explain why.
• If you ask AI, “Why did this person ignore me?”, it will provide possible reasons, even though it has no actual insight into their life.

This can create a false sense of certainty—making us more disconnected from reality, rather than helping us understand it.

No AI, no amount of online research, and no amount of overthinking can replace real-life presence and intuition.

Why This Affects Sensitive Creatives Even More

For us as sensitive creatives, this shift is especially hard.

We thrive on depth, meaning, and energy—things that can’t be fully understood through a screen.

We don’t just want surface-level interactions; we crave soulful, real connections.

But as the world becomes more digital, it’s getting harder to find those experiences.

Many of us end up feeling stuck in between two extremes:

1️⃣ Isolating, because connections feel stressful and unfulfilling

2️⃣ Forcing ourselves into spaces that don’t align, just to feel some form of connection

Neither option feels right.

And yet, we can feel the effects of this disconnect in every area of our lives:

• Our creativity feels stagnant.
• Our motivation feels low.
• We feel unseen and misunderstood, even when surrounded by people online.

The real issue? We’re missing presence.

The Missing Piece: Choosing Real-World Connection

The good news? We can choose differently.

We don’t have to let technology replace our relationships. We can use it as a tool without letting it become the foundation.

Here’s how we can start reconnecting:

✅ Prioritize in-person time. Even if it’s just one meaningful interaction a week, make it count.

✅ Observe people beyond their words. Notice how they show up, how they express themselves, how they move through the world.

✅ Reconnect with yourself. The more we trust ourselves, the more we attract people who truly align with our energy.

Because when we choose presence over convenience, we create a ripple effect.

We inspire others to do the same.

Feeling Disconnected? Let’s Change That Together.

If you’re feeling the effects of digital isolation and want to reconnect with yourself and others, I’d love to support you.

🎧 Download my free guided meditation—created specifically for sensitive creatives to feel grounded and clear again.

💫 Join my 5-step program, where we explore how to build real, meaningful relationships that align with who we truly are.

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- Attend one of our Soulful Circle Social Wellness events in Toronto, ON. Learn More.

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