Relationships and networks are always changing
Our social network does not consist of all the people we know, but of the people relevant to us. Everyone's network is different: it can include, for example, family members, hobby, work or study friends, pets, or even a familiar salesperson from the local store. The most important thing about a social network is that you are happy with it. For a network to support wellbeing, it must bring joy and energy. It's good to have people in your network you can turn to when you need help.
In difficult stages of your life, you may feel unable to keep up with others or put in enough effort to maintain your relationships. However, it is crucial to keep in touch with friends and loved ones, especially in a challenging situation. Talk to your friends about things that worry you. Or you can do something else all together, something that does not require thinking at all. Just as you value the people in your network, they have chosen you for their network. You can receive compassion and help from them.
Our social network does not consist of all the people we know, but of the people relevant to us. Everyone's network is different: it can include, for example, family members, hobby, work or study friends, pets, or even a familiar salesperson from the local store. The most important thing about a social network is that you are happy with it. For a network to support wellbeing, it must bring joy and energy. It's good to have people in your network you can turn to when you need help.
In difficult stages of your life, you may feel unable to keep up with others or put in enough effort to maintain your relationships. However, it is crucial to keep in touch with friends and loved ones, especially in a challenging situation. Talk to your friends about things that worry you. Or you can do something else all together, something that does not require thinking at all. Just as you value the people in your network, they have chosen you for their network. You can receive compassion and help from them.
You have to take care of your relevant social relationships.
Who is in your network? Is there someone in your network that you haven't been in contact with for a long time? Think about sending them a message today!
A social network changes at different stages of life
As our habitat expands and we meet new people, some of our social connections may weaken and disappear. A co-worker becomes closer than your relatives, or a close friend becomes merely an acquaintance. Some relationships last through life, but others disappear when the things that unified people are gone or are no longer relevant.
A change in a friendship can feel bad if it is one-sided. On the other hand, starting studies or a new job, moving to a new location and meeting new people can feel exciting. You might not even realize how much less attention you pay to your old relationships. When maintaining networks, you should be active and call a friend if you haven't heard from them. Sometimes, former classmates do not find friendship until years after their first meeting. In a new stage of life, they can discover new shared interests. A friend can be anyone you enjoy spending time with and want to connect with in one way or another. Different kinds of friendships enrich and broaden your own worldview. An important foundation of friendship is to respect the other person as they are. It can be hard to find a friend who meets all your needs.
To make friends, you have to learn to believe that you are valuable, important, and interesting yourself. If you find it difficult or impossible to think that someone would want you as a friend, it is crucial to focus on strengthening your self-esteem. Don't try too hard and don’t try to be something or someone you are not. You are enough as you are.
Check out Nyyti's Life Skills Course (in Finnish): jakso 12: Sosiaalinen verkosto ja yksinäisyys.
As our habitat expands and we meet new people, some of our social connections may weaken and disappear. A co-worker becomes closer than your relatives, or a close friend becomes merely an acquaintance. Some relationships last through life, but others disappear when the things that unified people are gone or are no longer relevant.
A change in a friendship can feel bad if it is one-sided. On the other hand, starting studies or a new job, moving to a new location and meeting new people can feel exciting. You might not even realize how much less attention you pay to your old relationships. When maintaining networks, you should be active and call a friend if you haven't heard from them. Sometimes, former classmates do not find friendship until years after their first meeting. In a new stage of life, they can discover new shared interests. A friend can be anyone you enjoy spending time with and want to connect with in one way or another. Different kinds of friendships enrich and broaden your own worldview. An important foundation of friendship is to respect the other person as they are. It can be hard to find a friend who meets all your needs.
To make friends, you have to learn to believe that you are valuable, important, and interesting yourself. If you find it difficult or impossible to think that someone would want you as a friend, it is crucial to focus on strengthening your self-esteem. Don't try too hard and don’t try to be something or someone you are not. You are enough as you are.
Check out Nyyti's Life Skills Course (in Finnish): jakso 12: Sosiaalinen verkosto ja yksinäisyys.