Why I’m Committing to Daily Connection

Over the past several years working at Surefooted, one thing has become increasingly clear: the pillars of wellbeing tend to revolve around a small set of foundational priorities. From both what I’ve read but also from lived experience, they consistently come back to sleep, movement, nourishing food, time in nature, and healthy relationships.

For my second-to-last goal / habit in March, I want to focus on something that often gets less deliberate attention: meaningful connection with other people.

In some ways, I begin this habit at an advantage. I’m in a healthy, loving marriage, and I have a 14-year-old son who is kind, engaged, and very much part of our family life - even in the midst of being a teenager. We eat dinner together almost every night, and that shared time forms the foundation of my daily connection at home.

I also work online, which means I spend a good part of my day in meetings. While much of it is “work talk,” there’s usually space for personal check-ins, curiosity, and real human moments woven in.

At the same time, there are real limitations. Living in Italy has been a gift in many ways, but my Italian still isn’t strong enough to consistently support deeper, more meaningful connections with the broader community around me. I do have some English-speaking friends on my swim team, and I’m familiar with the faces and conversations at my local coffee shop and along my morning walk. Still, it would be easy to let those interactions remain surface-level.

So for the month of March, I want to be more intentional - not just connected, but meaningfully connected.

The Science Behind It

Strong social connections are increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of both mental and physical health. Research consistently shows that regular, meaningful interaction with others can reduce stress, improve mood, support cognitive health, and even contribute to longevity.

In “Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World,” Dr. Vivek H. Murthy explores how relationships, big and small, shape our wellbeing. He discusses the science behind connection, loneliness, and belonging, and how strong ties with others influence our nervous system, our emotional resilience, and even our immune function.

Like sleep or exercise, connection isn’t something we can “store up” in advance. It needs to be practiced regularly.

My “Why”

This habit isn’t about socializing more for the sake of being busy.

It’s about:

• Creating space for real conversation

• Strengthening a sense of belonging

• Moving beyond convenience into intention

To support this, I’m introducing two practices during March.

First, I’ll be hosting a daily 15-minute Instagram Live journaling session. This feels like a meaningful way to connect with people around the world who are using the Surefooted Journal and perhaps following along with this challenge. It’s a shared pause in the day - reflective, imperfect, and human.

Second, I’ll be reaching out to the English-speaking community here to organize one group walk per week along Corso Italia, the beautiful seaside promenade just outside our apartment. These walks will be free, in English, and guided by the reflective questions in the Surefooted Journal. Nothing fancy - just movement, nature, and connection.

Connection to My Values

This habit reflects values that matter deeply to me:

• Relationships over results

• Presence over performance

• Creating community through simple, repeatable actions
  

What I Hope to Learn

I’m curious to notice what shifts when connection becomes a daily practice rather than something I hope happens organically.

Some questions I’m holding include:

• How does regular connection affect my mood and sense of steadiness?

• What happens when I prioritize conversation, even briefly, each day?

• How does shared reflection change my experience of this season of life?

Invitation

What does meaningful connection look like in your life right now?

Is it a shared meal, a walk with a friend, a thoughtful message, or a deeper conversation you’ve been putting off?

No right answers - just curiosity.

Curious about establishing your own habits? Join in here.