Showing Up Matters More Than We Think

This afternoon, I stepped away from my usual workday rhythm to attend my daughter’s school Halloween parade. Like so many other parents, I was racing from my car in the middle of the day—coffee in one hand, phone in the other—trying to make it just in time to catch a glimpse of her class walking by.

As I stood among the crowd, something struck me. We were all coming from such different places—different jobs, different homes, different lives—and yet, we were united by the same goal: to show up for someone we love.

There was this quiet sense of togetherness among the parents and caregivers standing shoulder to shoulder. Each of us had rearranged our day, shifted meetings, or left emails unanswered, all for the chance to be there when our child looked up from the crowd and saw our face. That moment of recognition—that fleeting exchange of pride and joy—is what connects us on the most human level.

It reminded me how much we all need these moments of connection. Not just the big, life-changing ones, but the small, ordinary acts of presence.
Connection is what grounds us. It softens our stress, quiets our self-doubt, and reminds us that we’re part of something larger than ourselves. When life starts to feel overwhelming or lonely, it’s often because we’ve become disconnected—from others, from our communities, or even from ourselves.

As a therapist, I’ve seen how healing it can be to rebuild connection in therapy. It’s a space where you can begin to feel seen again, where your experiences and emotions are held with care instead of judgment. Over time, the connection you create in therapy can help you strengthen the ones in your life—because when we feel safe enough to be fully ourselves, it ripples outward.

If you’ve been feeling disconnected lately—disconnected from others, or even from yourself—therapy can be a place to start finding your way back.