Find Your People

Theories:

We live in a deeply interconnected world, so it is important to focus on developing social connections that enhance your self-actualization. Relationships can provide you with resources, support, and feelings of belonging.

Here is a list of articles that can help you better understand relationships (and yes, most of them are by Mark Manson):

I hope those articles helped you better understand the relationships you currently have as well as the relationships you want to have. I also hope that you learned helpful strategies for meeting people, making authentic connections, and maintaining meaningful and fulfilling relationships.

Here are some additional points:

  • The purpose of communication is to increase understanding. You must take time to clearly communicate what you want and must take time to understand what other people want.

  • “You don’t lose real friends, real opportunities, or real relationships when you start standing up for yourself and setting clear boundaries. You lose abusers, manipulators, narcissists, control freaks, attention seekers and mental-health destroying leeches.” - Steven Bartlett

  • You never know when you’re going to die. Show and tell people how you feel about them often.

Resources:

Descriptions of the resources below are copied directly from the linked website.

  • 5 Love Languages

  • 47 Terms That Describe Sexual Attraction, Behavior, and Orientation

  • We Our Us Movement: If a conflict needs to be resolved, call or text 443-431-3705 or 443-522-7848 for the Stop the Beef Hotline.

  • love is respect: the national resource to disrupt and prevent unhealthy relationships and intimate partner violence by empowering young people through inclusive and equitable education, support, and resources.

  • National Sexual Assault Hotline: RAINN is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, help is available.

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: At the National Domestic Violence Hotline, our highly trained expert advocates are available 24/7 to talk confidentially with anyone in the United States who is experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship. The Hotline provides lifesaving tools and immediate support to empower victims and survivors to find safety and live free of abuse. We also provide support to friends and family members who are concerned about a loved one.

  • National Child Abuse Hotline: The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse. Serving the U.S. and Canada, the hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with professional crisis counselors who—through interpreters—provide assistance in over 170 languages. The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. All calls are confidential.

  • Family Caregiver Alliance: For more than 40 years, FCA has provided services to family caregivers of adults with physical and cognitive impairments, such as Parkinson’s, stroke, Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Our services include assessment, care planning, direct care skills, wellness programs, respite services, and legal/financial consultation vouchers. Ongoing support is available with FCA CareNav™, also now on a digital service platform. FCA is a longtime advocate for caregivers in the areas of policy, health and social system development, research, and public awareness, on the state, national and international levels.

Reflection:

  • Who do you value and care about in your life?

  • Who do you want to spend more time with?

  • Who do you want to spend less time with?

  • What makes you feel loved and appreciated?

  • What types of relationships do you want?