Socialising is all relative and how you approach it is completely unique to you. Wherever you are on your life journey; just starting out, at college, on study abroad, a young professional, or middle aged and on your third marriage, mindhamok get it, and each experience is totally different. Some of us love being in big groups, some of us freaking hate it. Some of us are happy to spend the majority of our time alone, and some of us love being surrounded by heaps of people with all the eyes on us. As I said… relative and unique. The mental health foundation tells us that ‘People who are more socially connected to family, friends, or their community are happier, physically healthier’.
So how do you find social connection if you typically struggle?
Baby steps
First things first, take it easy. You don’t need to be the life and the soul of the party to be connecting with people. A smile, a compliment, eye contact, introducing yourself to someone new. These are all small ways to connect with each other, and who knows, that smile at a randomer could lead to a life-changing conversation….
New people
If you are in a new country, city or studying abroad, it can be challenging! New food, language, friends, culture, smells, sounds, fashion, bathrooms, weather. We get it… scary! New cities are full of opportunities to network and make friends as a student. Now, if organised fun is your thing, you could try joining a sports club, or a hobby group, or even a language exchange. There are groups all over the world wide web for every hobby/craft/sport you can imagine. Take a peak and let yourself explore all the different ways you to connect. Check out mindhamok’s blog on meeting new people for inspiration.
Friends
As I said, love comes in all different forms and friendships can sometimes go underappreciated. Take a look around at your friends and remember how lovely it is to be loved and known by others. As Thomas Fuller once said…
“If you have one true friend you have more than your share.”
Put your phone down! (read that again)
Loneliness is on the rise, and it’ll come as no surprise to you that this is partly due to our obsession with our phones. I’m not judging, my screen time is terrifying folks. All I’m saying is, what would it feel like to go for that walk and leave our phone at home? If it’s safe, of course. To really connect with ourselves and the people we’re with and the people we don’t even know yet. Looking up instead of down is not only better for our necks and spines, but also opens us up to potential opportunities for connection!
Romance