Quiet connection often happens before you say hello

Hands gently lift a chair to avoid scraping noise; a small act of consideration.

Walking up to our fifth-floor apartment today, a neighbour from Croatia stopped us. He wanted to say thanks. In the years he has lived here, we’ve been the best upstairs neighbours so far. Not because we chat often. Because we move tables and chairs without scraping the floors. Because we’re being considerate.

We noticed the noise the first time we stayed in this building in 2022, so we chose to tread lightly. Today’s thank you was a reminder that connection is not always loud or public. It builds in the quiet, in the choices you make when no one is watching.

Our takeout: Quiet, consistent consideration is connection in action.

Small intentional acts are noticed, even if the feedback arrives months later, if ever. When baseline courtesy feels rare, practising it becomes distinctive. And there is a silent majority who appreciate care, even if they rarely say it out loud.

This is one of the end results of our philosophy of Cultivating Connection. Carry less and live more isn’t only about stuff. It is about reducing the friction we create for others.

Where could you remove a little friction for someone today?

#7tshirtseach #cultivatingconnection #carrylesslivemore #intentionalliving #digitalnomads