🤝 From DMs to Real-Life Connection: How amiqo + Grace Are Bridging the Gap Between Inner Growth and IRL Friendship

A co-written reflection on how connection in the digital age can lead to real-life transformation

Connection is what keeps us going.

Amidst scrolling, we have forgotten what matters the most online – each other! When you network with others and build friendships or communities, success is within closer reach. Remember: we rise by lifting others. 

Here is a short story about how two strangers, Kyle (founder of amiqo) and Grace (healing guide and community builder), met online through a shared mission to help people feel less alone in an increasingly disconnected world and how YOU can connect with others online for your success and happiness!

🌱 Meeting strangers online is not as scary as in real life!

Grace found me through amiqo's new Instagram account and she sent a message. She was writing about Friendship (coming out in July!) and thought we could collaborate. 

One DM led to a call, then another. 

Now we check in regularly, not just as fellow creators and founders, but as people walking a similar path, where meaning, mission, and human connection matter deeply.

Even though our work starts in different places, we realized we’re both working toward the same goal: helping people feel more connected. 

The good news is that there's no wrong way to help people connect.

From an Instagram inquiry to monthly check-ins, we have now become accountability friends and each other’s cheerleaders!

*Pro-tip: If a profile, piece or note on Substack has touched you, then message that person and make their day - it is only a click away. If you think about how much power we have online to either make someone sad or happy, then use your superpower to help others. 

As my mom says, “you never know until you ask,” which I always have in my head! 

Sending a message is not nearly as scary as starting a conversation, right? So what is holding you back from making real connections online? 

🧘🏽Grace’s Path: Connection Begins Within (by Grace)

Let’s be honest, your healing journey can be hard when emotions or situations overwhelm you because of your hyper awareness or reflections (me lol). 

I understand how hard but also how fun it can be to heal alone, so let’s do it together. 

Leading meditation courses, journaling workshops, and yoga classes over the past 7 years, I knew that I wanted to create something more long-term and sustainable. 

A community online where we can all meditate, reflect and support each other.

Healing Hearts Hub is an online space where people can slow down, reflect, and be real with each other. Join us today.

I create space for healing, and through that, a deeper connection.

An online community is powerful. It helps people feel safe enough to open up. 

It gives them the confidence to take the first step toward showing up more authentically, and helps in establishing better real-world relationships too. 

I am already seeing the difference in people in my community after a few months – we are all so supportive and motivating of each other!

🤝 amiqo’s Role: Bringing Connection to Life

It has been said that one in three Americans eats all their meals alone which has soared since the early 2000s. Have we become a lonely nation or world? The mental health crisis and loneliness epidemic can show for this – being alone is not healthy for us!

So at amiqo, our purpose is to get you off the couch, not just to do something, but to do it with someone and find meaning through building deeper in-person connections. 

We know people are online, we know everyone is craving real connection, so we’re here to meet them there. 

We get you back into real-life meetups, group activities, and social adventures without a hassle.

We’re not here to replace the inner work. We’re here to honor it and give you a next step when you're ready. Whether that’s joining a local pottery night, showing up to a park hangout, or hosting your idea, we’re building the place where these real-life friendships begin.

Check us out and download our new app!

💛 What We Both Believe

Loneliness has hit us all at some point. Not to mention we are living in a WORLDWIDE loneliness epidemic and we are here to make it better! 

Grace and I are showing up in different ways to redefine the meaning of connection in our digital world, but we share the same values:

• There’s no “right” way to connect, just what’s true for you

• Everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and supported

• Connection takes baby steps. We’re here to hold your hand

• You can find people online who understand you better than in real life

• Use your social media platforms to connect, not disconnect

• Start online. Step into life. Flow, don’t force

• You’re not alone. 

• There are people out there who need you, just as much as you need them

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💌 Want to Go Deeper?

From Grace:
I hold a safe online space to reconnect with yourself and others, join my Substack community. We heal from within and with what we have - grounded in gratitude and grace. 

Grace and Aneta are holding an online summit you don’t want to miss: Nourished Inside Out, on 26th and 27th April, with 10 speakers who are here to share and care their wisdom with you to fill up your cup with tools on self-care and love.

→ Let’s heal, grow, and connect.

From Kyle / amiqo:
If you’re ready to meet new people in person, download the amiqo app launched on 21.03. 

It’s 100% free—just show up, bring your whole self, and have some fun: www.amiqo.life

→ Real-life meetups. Real friends. Real you.