Building meaningful connections
The ones that matter.
A friend in deed, is a friend to be.
I don't know if it has been the same for you, but I have been in a love/hate relationship with life lately. From starting the year strong and full of vigor to fighting for my life, getting scammed, and reconsidering certain relationships.
Why do we even make connections? To not feel lonely, have a support system, build a network to scale up the financial and career ladder, have a sense of belonging, or all or none of the above?
That is the question I have been asking myself for a few days. What is the essence of a connection if it only has meaning to one party when they need a fix?
Yeah, everyone has a life and ought to be independent of each other. That is beyond the point, and two truths can co-exist.
No one is too busy for the ones they love.
These are hard times and we are all fighting battles of different kinds. Some of these battles need to be fought alone if you want to overcome them. However, if there is anything life and mental health has taught me repeatedly, it is that at one point or another, we all need carers and carers for the carers.
Doing life alone can be depressing and meaningless, and that is one reasons we try to build meaningful connections. These could be family, friends, or people who understand that pouring brightness into another life is one of the most fulfilling things one could ever do.
What makes a connection meaningful?
Connections and relationships mean different things to different people. However, if there is no mutual exchange of love, care, or value, it can be a parasitic connection.
You do not have to be front and center in the life of everyone you connect with every day for it to be meaningful. Being present in any form when they need someone gives meaning to your connection.
I am at a point in my life where the only connections I need are meaningful connections, and not transactional ones as are prevalent these days.
Mutual trust, authenticity, care, and shared values make relationships of all kinds meaningful and thrive even in difficult times.
If our friendship is not meaningful, we do not need it.
The connections that give meaning to humanity are those that matter.
As we face darker times, the one thing that will sustain us is meaningful connections and I hope you find people who value you as much as you do.
I will try to eat something now before my eyes pop out of their socket or I pass out. I hope you have a productive day. Write back if you feel like it. I would love to hear from you. Tell me something you have not had in a while and would love to. Mine is a warm hug.
Join me and the rest of The Real Talk community on Twitter to discuss ways to build and maintain meaningful connections.
Coffee with friends or just a simple meet up for laughter and enjoyment 🧡
I loved the hug bit
"Mine is a warm hug." ---> 🥵🤗🌻