Empathize
L.O.V.E. Letter – Day 8Share an Experience
At some point today, join another person in what they are doing. This could be playing the same game as your child, joining your partner in cooking, going for a walk with somebody, or simply sitting down to watch the same TV show.
If it makes sense for the activity, also consider synchronizing your movements together. For example, while walking together or playing Simon Says with your kids.
You don’t have to communicate verbally, just do the same thing together, aligning your bodies if it makes sense.
Sharing experiences with other people has a profound effect. When two people share the same experience together, it has been shown to amplify both people’s feelings about the experience – i.e. make it more intense – and increase bonding between the two people. Furthermore, if the activity involves moving with synchronized movements, such as taking a walk together or making a bed together, this also increases sense of connection and bonding.
Why am I doing this?
Sources
Boothby, E. J., Clark, M. S., & Bargh, J. A. (2014). Shared experiences are amplified. Psychological science, 25(12), 2209-2216.