Let’s get real.
You’re on five group chats. Your LinkedIn DMs are piling up. You’ve got three texts half-written, an Instagram comment you forgot to reply to, and at least five people you love but haven’t talked to in weeks (okay, months).
You’re not a bad person. You’re just stretched way too thin. Throw kids and the gym in the mix, and you are maxed out.
We live in a world where we’re “connected” 24/7—but real connection? That’s on life support.
According to Pew Research, over 60% of adults feel digitally overwhelmed, and nearly half admit it’s costing them their closest relationships.
So, what do you do when it feels like everyone wants a piece of you—but you’ve got nothing left?
Start here:
1. Do a Digital Gut Check. Take 20 minutes. Scroll through your messages. Who are you constantly replying to but getting nothing back? Who lights you up—but you haven’t reached out in forever? Write down 5 names. Those are your people. Prioritize them. Your reasons, your seasons, and your lifetimes.
2. Schedule Connection Like It’s a Meeting. Put 15-30 minutes on your calendar, twice a week. Use that time to leave a voice note, shoot a “thinking of you” text, or—yes—actually call someone. No one is “too busy” for the people who matter. You just haven’t scheduled it yet. I find it helps to text-to-schedule “Are you free today at 2pm or 6pm? I’ll call you.” From time to time, if it gets too hard, I send a Calendly link that opens up all the times I am free in the next 8 weeks.
3. Show Up in Person. FaceTime. Coffee. A walk. Book the flight. Whatever it takes. Nothing beats presence. Eyeballs over pixels. Don’t overthink it—just do it.
Connection isn’t extra. It’s everything.
So, who’s your one person this week? Reach out. Plan. Today. Not later. Now.
