Our New Social Life

Summary

A fascinating introduction to the science of connection that will ultimately improve your social life and lead to better relationships.

In a world where everything seems to transform in a blink, anyone can suddenly find themselves scrambling for human connection. Someone who has always found it easy to connect can suddenly feel disoriented if they start a new job, move to a new region, or welcome a new member into the family. Others may have always found it difficult to connect, feel they've outgrown their circles, or may feel dissatisfied for a range of other reasons.

In Our New Social Life, social connection and happiness experts Natalie Kerr and Jaime Kurtz explain the science behind these struggles and steer us toward timeless skills to overcome these challenges. Unlike much of the guidance found online, this book is based on decades of research, which the authors make accessible and useful to the reader, and offers tools for introverts and extraverts alike. Whether the barriers to connection are a function of modern life—such as being distracted by our devices, feeling overworked, and living far away from loved ones—or are more timeless—such as simply not knowing how to connect, misunderstanding the thoughts and feelings of others, undervaluing moments of solitude, and avoiding the sort of vulnerability that creates deep bonds—this book offers hope, encouragement, and relatability to help readers have a richer and more vibrant social life.

"A beautiful reminder that our humanity thrives on forming, maintaining, and restoring connections, guiding us towards resilience against loneliness."—Stephanie Cacioppo, author of Wired for Love