A Gentle Practice of Being With Someone
One of my favorite things about relational somatics is how deep connection can exist just on the other side of everyday interactions. When we slow down and really notice someone, even a quick exchange can turn into a moment of magic—of being moved by another person’s world.
You might know the feeling: you’re in line at the store, you casually ask, “How are you?”—and the person actually answers. Something real slips through. You feel it land in you. For just a second, there’s presence, honesty, connection.
These moments can be breathtaking… and easy to brush past.
We’re busy. What do we even do with that feeling? So we move on.
But when we pause to notice these small openings, they become part of the inner fabric that holds us—reminders of our shared humanity. They don’t require big emotional processing. Just a breath. A soft recognition that something meaningful happened.
Sometimes we shut down or move away from connection, not even on purpose. It might feel too vulnerable or too intense. And sometimes we move toward it—our hearts opening, our systems softening. All of that is okay. All responses are valid. What matters is noticing what’s true for us in the moment, and remembering that we have choice. We can connect (or not) and that freedom is part of what makes connection feel safe.
When we practice noticing, gently, without pressure, we start to build new pathways. We realize that feeling more doesn’t mean we have to do more.
Connection doesn’t have to lead to a long conversation, emotional labor, or overwhelm. It can be a quiet breath, a glance, a shared moment of being human.
🌱 Why Practice Connection?
This might sound a little “out there” if you’re new here—ha! But if you know me, you know I live in the world of the heart. And truly, this is the deepest joy in my work: witnessing people feel seen, heard, and connected in a real way.
There’s nothing more precious than being trusted with someone’s truth; their story, their inner world, their tender heart.
And yet, in a culture that prizes independence and productivity, many of us are surrounded by people but still feel lonely. We’re wired for togetherness, but not always taught how to be together.
In some cultures, there’s built-in time for connection, like workers heading home for lunch with family. That kind of rhythm says: you matter, we matter. We can learn from that. We can remember the deep human longing for presence and bring it into our own daily lives, one small moment at a time.
🌱 A Way to Begin
Next time you’re with someone—your child, a friend, even yourself in the mirror—pause for a moment.
Notice their presence.
Sense your own breath.
Feel into the space between you.
What’s it like to just be with another person, without needing to fix or figure anything out?
Somatics teaches us that we don’t have to do this alone. We can meet the world while anchored in our own presence. It’s not about trying to change or perfect ourselves—it’s about expanding our capacity to feel, to connect, and to stay grounded as we do.
When we practice this kind of gentle noticing, we remember that being human is not a solo project. And that, in itself, is a beautiful thing to return to.
Love,
Katy