Except for disagreeing with the words, “by the way”, this answer is a very beautiful and proper answer. The rest of your reply, while certainly correct, I found to be somewhat insulting. What in the world does “my” question have to do with women in the world who don’t keep halacha and want to put on tefillin?”
Oops, I certainly did not intend to insult you, so if somehow my words conveyed an insult, I apologize. I did not mean to imply that I think you fit into that category, and don’t think I did so, but clearly it led you to feel that way, and I am sorry.
HOWEVER, in my vast experience (and I do unfortunately have a lot of experience with this), the women who typically claim “they want to be closer to Hashem” (and again,let me be perfectly clear I am NOT referring to you in any way, shape or form), nearly always choose to do so in ways that are inappropriate and geared towards the male chiyuv, when in fact they don’t bother to do the mitzvos that as WOMEN they are required to do. Why is it that these types of women only feel fulfilled by taking on the trappings of a man?
I answered your question (and the “BTW” was not an inappropriate expression, either, so I think you commented unnecessarily on that inclusion) and then I also editorialized, I suppose, because your post reminded me of the types of women with whom I have come in contact over the last 40-50 years, who DO fit my description.
I commend you for wanting to connect closer with Hashem in non-Tefillin-donning ways. Hatzlacha rabbah. I stand by my other chessed-type suggestions and saying Tehillim.