We are living in what many call the “age of connection.” Phones buzz with notifications, social media feeds never sleep, and workplaces encourage networking as the path to success. On paper, we have never been more connected. Yet research and experience tell a different story: people feel lonelier than ever. Why? Because social connection, while important, is not the same as belonging. Social connection is about contact. It tells us whether we are in touch with others, whether through conversation, casual friendships, or digital networks. These ties can be wide and even helpful in buffering loneliness temporarily. But connection by itself is shallow. It doesn’t guarantee that we are known,…