The 3 Pillars of Connection
They say we’re living through a loneliness epidemic. Have you heard?
In response to this, many individuals and companies (including some newly-founded, well-funded startups) are focused on helping people feel more connected to each other by building communities, hosting events, and creating spaces (IRL and online) where people can come together. And that’s awesome. You can consider me one of those individuals and Third Nature one of those companies.
But in the 8+ years we’ve been building Third Nature, I’ve come to realize that there are 3 core pillars of connection:
1. Connection to self
2. Connection to others
3. Connection to nature / the world at large
These days, it feels like there’s a systemic assault on all three.
Yes, we can build communities, host events, and create spaces that help people feel truly connected. But if afterwards, everyone goes back to their inherently disconnected lives, we’re just offering bandaid solutions to much deeper problems.
That’s why every Third Nature experience — whether it’s a Friday session on Zoom or Third Nature Summer Camp — includes a dedicated focus on integration. We aim to:
A. Create experiences that help you feel more connected to yourself, others, and the world at large.
B. Help you feel more connected in all parts of your life, after your Third Nature experience.
And here’s the good news — we call them the 3 pillars of connection because they all support each other. When you strengthen one, you strengthen all three.
For example, when you’re able to connect more deeply with yourself (through journaling, meditation, yoga, etc.), it becomes easier to connect with others, and the world at large.
When you connect more deeply with others (through conversation, collaboration, games, etc.), you feel more connected to yourself, and the world at large.
And when you connect more deeply with nature (by taking a walk in the woods, letting your feet touch grass, feeling the sun and wind on your skin, listening to the birds, smelling the flowers, etc.), you feel more connected to yourself and others. Because we are all part of nature.
So, by prioritizing any of the 3 pillars of connection, you’re helping to flatten the curve of the loneliness epidemic.
How might you prioritize connection (to self, others, or nature / the world at large) in the week ahead?
