Jenluvsblackcat,
Hi Jen, because I've lived like this for so many years now, I'll offer up my theory about this
phenomenon based on my personal experiences.
Short version is......when we (our ego selves) get out of Our way, we automatically step into the flow of the Current from Source and ride effortlessly along with It. No fuss no muss, just gliding along with the Current and feeling really great and connected because of it.
When we're using only or primarily our ego selves as the 'Driver' of our awareness, we struggle against the flow of the Current. Why? Because we think we (our ego selves) know All and are all powerful because of it!

This automatically drops us down in vibration and makes life for us and everyone who we come into contact with, more miserable. That sense of separation and isolation is back again and we simply
aren't moving with the Flow but trying to swim up stream against it! Until we have repeated experiences like what you've described, we just don't know, we just don't understand. This is how we learn that we're much grander beings than our ego selves would ever let us realize!
There's another side to this
phenomenon you described and it is that the whole planet and much of humanity has been in a
process of ascension for the past 20 years. I know this sounds all 'woo woo' but this is what's been happening along with an astrological Age change too!
Short version is......many of us have been sliding back and forth
repeatedly between two different energy/vibratory realities over the past few years. In the old familiar one on the old earth, we're using only our lower ego selves and so is everyone else. Not a happy place. In the other newer and higher energy reality, many who are now able to hold for longer and longer periods of 'time' a higher vibrational state (Light) within themselves, are living/existing in THAT reality.
I mentioned awhile back that the "Surf's Up" and that was my attempt at getting this information across in a humorous way. Things are changing super fast now and what you experienced was existing at a higher level, a higher reality, where you were functioning from a higher state in yourself (far less ego self and far more Higher Self and Source connection). In that state at that level of higher beingness, 'reality' literally IS different because it vibrates much faster. I've been talking about this in different ways here for many months and you've described a large aspect of 'it' perfectly. Hold on though because it gets so much better than what you've experienced so far.
The quote in my 'sig line' talks about this very issue. It's by Karen Bishop at What's Up On Planet Earth.com.
"Choose to become your soul and your ever greater connection to Source, or choose to reside in another reality." These type of statements aren't as :roll: or weird as they may sound! It's been happening and will continue to happen faster and more intensely as each month rolls by between today and 12-21-2012.
I'm really glad you brought this subject up and shared your personal experience of 'reality' being not only different but much better in the Flow.

Thanks.