Loneliness is Real: Make 2025 the Year to Reconnect!

Laural Carr & Hilda Gan's Leadership Breakthrough Live Event, November 2024

Happy New Year! It’s still January, and I hope 2025 is off to a great start for you.

This year feels extra special—we’re entering the next quarter of a century. On January 1, I had the incredible experience of welcoming 2025 halfway around the world in Sydney, Australia. Watching the fireworks over the Sydney Harbour Bridge has been a desire of mine since 1999. Back then, I remember watching the world celebrate the new millennium, hour by hour. I told myself, “One day, I’d like to see those Sydney fireworks in person.”

That wish was realized this year. And let me tell you—watching it live was nothing like watching it on TV or online.

My view of the countdown and fireworks in Sydney, Australia on New Years Eve

Being there, in person, I felt the excitement building as the day unfolded. We saw crowds gather, some as early at 6:00 am, felt the buzz of anticipation, and experienced the fireworks up close—the sights, sounds, and even the smell of smoke lingering in the air. It was magical.

This reminded me of something important: there’s no substitute for real, face-to-face connection.

During the pandemic, platforms like Zoom were our lifeline. But virtual connections aren’t the same as being there in person. They lack the energy, the spontaneous interactions, and the emotional depth of human connection. Even now, many of us are stuck in “virtual mode”—comfortable in our sweatpants, logging in and out of calls, and avoiding the effort of getting back out there.

But here’s the truth: loneliness is real. The CDC reports that 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. feels lonely, and 1 in 4 lacks social and emotional support.

We’ve become too accustomed to isolation. Staying in can feel easier, but it’s costing us our joy, growth, and mental health.

That’s why I’m encouraging you to make a resolution this year: Get back out there.

Start small—grab coffee with a friend, attend an event, or join a networking group. Stretch that “connection muscle” again. It might initially feel awkward or tiring, but I encourage you to try. It will be worth it. You’ll rediscover the joy of real conversations, the energy of shared experiences, and the comfort of human connection.

If you’re struggling to take that first step, reach out to me. I’m here to encourage you and share ideas for reconnecting with others.

Make 2025 the year you reclaim your sense of connection. Let’s get back out there and truly feel human again.