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Connections
It's so important to make and maintain relationships with those around you. I'm all about finding commonalities and realizing no matter what our background, it's my opinion we all want the same things in life, number one is a safe & nurturing place to be and raise our young, it's something basic to the human condition. I'm not talking about business networking or social media buddies, yes, that's important, but I'm talking aobut making REAL connections with others that can make for an interesting evening minimally, but can more importantly lead to developing lifelong friendships!
We should also concentrate on making the biggest connection, with ourselves, don't look to others to "complete you" but to complement you like a great glass of wine with a delicious meal! It's like when you fly and the flight attendent tells you in the event of an emergency to put your air mask on first. Not easy to make connections if you're not good with yourself. Like building a house, gotta start at the foundation. So, do you fear spending time alone? If so, maybe you need to get out of your comfort zone and start there.
You + Other Awesome People = Life Fulfilled!
Here are some links to articles/blogs for you to start your own research:
https://www.psychologs.com/Why-There-Is-A-Need-To-Connect-With-Self/
https://www.plaidforwomen.com/self-connection-the-six-self-care-types-to-emotionally-connecting-to-self-and-why-this-is-so-important/
https://www.wholelifechallenge.com/why-you-need-to-put-yourself-first-and-how-to-do-it/
https://healthytelford.com/2021/12/08/improve-how-you-feel-by-connecting-with-others/
https://www.mhanational.org/connect-others
Suggestions for Connections
1. Kindness & patience, it's critical to attempt to be not only polite but truly kind to everyone we meet
2. Smile - You'd be suprised how much this little flexing of our facial muscle might make someone else's day
3. Don't be afraid to admit you messed up, make sure the other person knows you're truly sorry and will not do that again
4. Remember whatever you have going on in your life, another may have something way harder they're going through, you just never know.
5. HUG YOUR KIDS! So many people think their kids know how much they love them, but it's another story from the child's perspective, don't go a day without letting them know how much you love them
6. Give love and authentic compliments freely and often
7. HUG YOUR SPOUSE! Do you remember why you fell in love? Revisit that, often, take joy in the simpliest of tasks you do for your spouse and they do for you
8. Join a group of like-minded folks or hobby enthusiasts to learn from each other, expand your mind whenever possible - think book club, cooking club, theology group, exercise groups etc., better in person than online if possible
9. Volunteer your time to help others, while you're not looking, you'll probably find yourself surrounded with possible connections
10. Be your own best friend, ask yourself if you'd say some of the garbage we say to ourselves to our best friend, if not, don't even think it about yourself
Full disclosure: I am not a mental or physical health professional, I just want people to be happy, please do your own research and consult a professional if needed.