Just Say Hi: A Small Cure for Loneliness

Just Say Hi: Why Small Gestures Matter More Than Ever
In an age of screens, earbuds, and social anxiety, something as simple as saying “hi” can feel strangely difficult. Corinne Lafont’s reflection on modern loneliness taps into a real cultural moment: young people are more connected digitally than ever, yet increasingly isolated in real life.

A Generation Growing Up Alone
Data from the U.S. Surgeon General points to a loneliness epidemic, especially among teens and young adults whose in-person social time has collapsed over the past two decades. The pandemic only accelerated a shift already underway. For many students, formative years were spent on screens, not in classrooms, leaving them to relearn how to share space, read social cues, and build real-world connections.

When Saying Hello Feels Like a Risk
Lafont captures the awkward tension of campus life, where people pass each other without eye contact, heads down, mentally overloaded. The “Gen Z stare” isn’t rudeness so much as emotional fatigue and social hesitation. The fear of rejection, embarrassment, or indifference makes even the smallest interaction feel like a gamble.

Connection Starts With Ritual
The essay frames friendliness as a kind of ritual—an intentional act that opens the door to human connection. A nod, a wave, a simple greeting can break through the invisible walls we carry around. These moments may seem insignificant, but they signal recognition, shared presence, and belonging in a world that increasingly encourages isolation.

Choosing to Push Back Against Loneliness
The takeaway is quietly powerful: loneliness isn’t inevitable. Rebuilding connection doesn’t require grand gestures—just small acts of courage repeated daily. Saying “hi” won’t solve everything, but it’s a start. And sometimes, a start is exactly what people need to feel seen again.