Hey everyone, it’s Jared Larsen here.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how we show up for the people we care about. Not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. With so much happening around us—notifications buzzing, schedules packed, endless scrolling—it’s becoming harder and harder to just be with someone, fully and honestly. And yet, I’ve realized something simple but powerful: presence is one of the greatest gifts we can give.

Whether it’s with your partner, your parents, your siblings, your friends, or even strangers you meet while traveling, the quality of your presence can shape the quality of the relationship. I’ve had moments while traveling—sitting across from someone in a small café in Portugal or chatting with a local family in Thailand—where I was fully there, no distractions. And those conversations stuck with me far more than anything I’ve double-tapped on Instagram.

Lately, I’ve been applying this more consciously in my daily life. When I’m having dinner with someone, I try to keep my phone away and just listen. Not waiting to reply. Not zoning out. Just… listening. And the connections I’ve felt in return? Stronger. More meaningful. Sometimes even healing.

If there’s one small suggestion I could make—it’s this: be where you are, fully. When someone speaks to you, listen with your whole heart. Ask questions that matter. Notice the details. Remember what they say.

I’m not perfect at it. None of us are. But I’ve come to believe that practicing presence might be one of the most powerful ways to build stronger relationships, better understand ourselves, and genuinely enjoy the people in our lives.

So, here’s to putting our phones down a little more, looking into people’s eyes a little longer, and being human together.

Much love,
Jared