PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Positive personal relationships matter because they can provide support, connection, and a sense of belonging. They can also be a source of love, joy, and fulfillment. Having positive personal relationships can contribute to our overall well-being and happiness, and can help us to feel more connected to others and to the world around us.

“Whether a romantic, friendship, work-related, or family relationship, what you put into a relationship is often what you get out of it.” – Nancy Twine

Personal relationships also provide a sense of purpose and meaning in life. They can help us to feel needed and valued, and can provide a sense of belonging and connection to something larger than ourselves. Healthy personal relationships are an important part of life, but they do require being intentional about how you invest your time and the quality of that time. Whether a romantic, friendship, work-related, or family relationship, what you put into a relationship is often what you get out of it.  

I’ve definitely been guilty of being so consumed by work and my personal life that I’ve fallen off the radar and ended up out of touch with some friends. I also know what it feels like to be in a relationship where it feels like compromise or understanding is impossible and the decision is made to end the relationship because of a misalignment of values and general feelings of unhappiness. Other times I’ve realized that a relationship has simply run its course because we’ve grown apart and are on different paths, which I believe can be a natural evolution and not something we should feel the need to cling to because of the historical tie. I’ve also had relationships that feel effortless and no matter how much we’re both putting in at any given time, the friendship is important to me and always exists on good terms because we don’t take the ebbs and flows personally. There’s a complexity to relationships because people are complex.  We all experience life and emotions differently, have different expectations and opinions, and have unique needs/desires.  

Over the years, I’ve depended on my close friends for lots of things. Friends have been my support system when I’ve faced a difficult challenge or I’ve dealt with a personal crisis, like the loss of a parent.  My relationships have been a crucial source of advice, guidance, and encouragement, and during the darkest times have helped me feel more confident and capable of tackling new challenges. Personal relationships are an important part of our lives and can have a significant impact on our well being and overall levels of happiness.

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