Emily V. Gordon Instagram – Someone recently told me about an app called @thoughtfuldotcom that wants to help combat the epidemic of loneliness. So I looked into it! It has you take a pretty good quiz to determine what your connection style is, then you add info about a few people you want to be close with, and then it prompts you to check in with them on a daily basis. It’s also got a pretty good supply of articles around social interactions- how to do them, how to tackle tough topics, etc. I’ve only used it for a week, and this isn’t sponcon. No one asked me to post this. I’m sure it’s not perfect, but I appreciate anyone trying to help people connect with each other in a personalized way. Relationships are a plant that need cultivating. More than ever, people are horrifically lonely and also feel frozen/stupid/too vulnerable/too tired at the idea of even checking in. So get the app (it is paid but has a free trial) if this appeals! Let me know what you think. My only bit of advice to add is that I find speaking the internal monologue around things that feel silly/awkward usually helps. If you’re reaching out to a friend because you’re lonely and you’re worried you’re not doing it right, say that: “hey I’m trying this new thing where I check in with people I appreciate, so I’m doing it with you even though I feel silly about it, so let’s just act like I’ve been doing this for years already?” (Also, is anyone who knows me shocked that I’m an organizer?)