Moving to a different country requires effort—not just in adapting to a new environment, but in building real, meaningful connections. Relationships aren’t just a luxury; they’re essential to our well-being. As Northwestern Medicine Psychologist Sheehan D. Fisher, PhD states, “Social support is a very important part of being a human, and therefore when social relationships break down or are damaged, it can have a big impact on our mental health & well-being.”

When I arrived in Thailand, I turned to online expat groups to find community. At first, it was a lifeline—a way to feel welcome in a place where I knew no one. But I soon realized something unsettling: I wasn’t just joining a community; I was becoming a product for a brand. Many of these groups and organizations weren’t built for genuine connection; they were designed to serve an agenda—where people weren’t participants, but commodities.

This isn’t a new phenomenon. I remember when I was in esthetics school, every student was required to sign a waiver surrendering their right to privacy. We weren’t just students; we were marketing material.

I recognized how this made me feel—disposable, transactional, unseen. It forced me to reflect on what I truly needed: authentic, reciprocal relationships. I had to redefine how I engaged with people and be intentional about the spaces I entered.

The Age of "Alone Together"

Technology has fundamentally altered how we connect. We’ve become accustomed to a new way of being:

🔹 Alone together. Surrounded by people, yet disconnected.
🔹 Efficiency over depth. Human relationships are messy, emotional, and time-consuming—technology strips away the complexity.
🔹 Constant demand for instant responses. Reflection and thoughtful conversations are now considered a weakness.

But human relationships aren’t meant to be efficient. They require patience, vulnerability, and time. They’re not transactional—they’re transformational.

So here’s my question to you: Are you truly connecting, or just consuming?

Let’s break free from being products and return to being people. Prioritize real connections. Be intentional. Seek out spaces that honor your humanity, not just your data.

📢 What’s one way you cultivate genuine relationships in a digital world? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

#AuthenticConnections #HumanFirst #AloneTogether #MindfulTechnology #DigitalWellness #RealRelationships