Sarah Lopez-Madrigal started offering academic help to kids in her neighborhood during Covid and quickly realized they were suffering from loneliness, anxiety and depression. She got to work creating a third space kids can get together outside, off-screens and in community with each other. WeBelong PDX offers comprehensive wellness-programs to kids and families and is all about helping kids thrive.

She's here today to talk about how social disconnection is killing us... literally. Loneliness is as bad for our health as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day! (Yikes!) Our culture of isolation and convenience is a breeding ground for what so many of us are struggling with: feelings of loneliness and helplessness. Sarah's mission with WeBelong PDX is simple: Lower Stress and Elevate Joy - and she's sharing how we can do that in our own communities starting right now.

She shares with us research that shows the importance of connection for living truly good lives, as summed up in The Good Life. She warns against us choosing perception over relationships, convenience over community and comfort over engagement.

She has a simple plan for healing our homes and our communities through social connection: don't wait for other people to ask for help, join a club, start your own get-togethers, engage in little interactions with strangers and leave the phones at home so we can truly enjoy the good life.

Recommended Reads:

The Good Life

Together by Vivek Murthy

The Upswing and Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you!

@prettyoverperfect

Perfectionism has some merits - and some downsides. Sitting with both enables me to move forward with freedom and hope.

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you!

@prettyoverperfect

A brief contemplation of legacy and purpose, and how I'm figuring out what mine is in this season I'm in right now.

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you!

@prettyoverperfect