Living through the global pandemic and its long stretch of social restrictions forced many of us to rethink the role relationships play in our lives. As someone who identifies as an introvert and has often wrestled with social anxiety, I was surprised by the shift I experienced—a growing desire to connect more deeply, not just with loved ones, but with the people around me.
That desire led me to take steps I never imagined. I began volunteering at my daughter’s school, signed up for 5 km charity runs, and helped organize events at work. I lingered longer in conversations with neighbours, chatted more with strangers, and slowly opened myself up to new friendships. But this transformation didn’t happen overnight. At first, the idea of engaging with anyone outside my “personal bubble” felt daunting. So I started small—what I now call “micro” baby steps.
Now a professor at the University of Sussex, Sandstrom credits those small encounters as the spark behind her research into how strangers connect. In a 2020 study, she argued that social relationships are one of the strongest predictors of well-being. While deep bonds with family and friends—known as “strong ties”—are essential, even fleeting interactions with strangers can positively impact our emotional health….
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