Summer for many people means loneliness, especially in the age of hyper-social connection

Let's see what advice the experts of the Bologna reality have shared to nourish authentic bonds and fight relational poverty, even in the summer.

A real meeting: inviting someone

In an era in which we tend to talk about ourselves and what is happening in our lives in a chat, the real revolution is to transform a virtual meeting into a real invitation. Summer is a time when we often have more free time and, therefore, can be an opportunity for activities in company: a dinner organized at short notice, a coffee or a walk together are concrete occasions for meeting, in which the word acquires more value than an exchange of written messages. Added to this is the possibility of sharing - perhaps even using the same digital channels, which thus become a way to bring people together - a map of summer hospitality: the exchange of suggestions on places in the city that offer company, social life or shelter from the heat, represents a concrete act of community. The creation of this network of information thus becomes a powerful way to ensure that no one feels alone and to transform common spaces such as libraries, shaded parks, cultural centers or oratories into true meeting oases.

The first gesture of empathy: remaining attentive

Communicating is a term rich in meaning that does not only indicate expressing oneself and listening distractedly to the words of family, friends or acquaintances. In a society that increasingly pushes human beings to indifference, attention is the first gesture of empathy towards others: asking someone "How are you?", dwelling on the meaning of this question, shows the intention to remain listening, even before telling something about oneself.

Offering your time: a precious gift

Sharing time is a precious gift and you can offer it to those who are not usually in your circle of friends through volunteering, an experience that enriches and creates a bond between people. And in a time of year when you can feel very alone, creating interactions helps to shift the focus on the other: a simple gesture, like having a chat with your neighbor, provides new stimuli and helps you discover new interests. Furthermore, it is a good way to experience teamwork and an opportunity to meet new stories and people.

The city is emptying: creating moments of community for those who remain

Social moments are not necessarily linked to the idea of ​​travel and vacation: sometimes it is not possible to leave, but this can be transformed into an opportunity to rediscover the place where you live or to visit a place you have never seen. There are many people who stay in the city and would be happy to participate in initiatives that involve them: a picnic, a neighborhood dinner or a reading group can easily become community moments that acquire value for those who welcome and those who are welcomed.

Feeling part of something: together is better

Those who feel alone need to feel part of something: listening to a story, giving a hug and reaching out are gestures that bring people together and make them truly free, from comparisons and social pressures. Every action that brings human beings closer together allows us to rethink summer as a new time, because the real holiday is a condition of the spirit that often hides behind simplicity.

In short, summer is not necessarily the happiest time of the year. Sometimes, it is the quietest, the most fragile, the most real . If you feel this way, know that you are not the only one. And even from emptiness, sometimes, the most authentic things are born.