In today's day and age, finding healthy connections and building meaningful relationships is considered a substantially “difficult” feat. There are many reasons why this may seem a challenging task. From common social anxiety to the sizable effect of social media on the way we handle relationships, we often discard important practices to keep in mind when building a strong, trustworthy connection.
This could apply to any kind of relationship, whether it be platonic, romantic, work, or familial, and sometimes these recommendations can even apply to building a better relationship with yourself in order to improve as an individual. Now I don’t consider myself a relationship expert and I’m by all means still growing up, making mistakes, and learning how to nurture my close connections. That being said, here are my top five tips for being mindful in relationships and creating healthy connections as a teenager/young adult who cherishes those close to me.
1. Prioritize Communication
Simply stated, share your thoughts and concerns. While this may seem scary, fostering healthy communication habits serves as a tool to increase trust, strengthen your relationship, and decrease arguments.
2. Actively Listen
Communicating with someone close to you is more than just talking. Expressing your feelings is only one-half of it. Listening to what the other has to say is just as important (if not more) in order to build trust and tackle a challenging situation.
3. Forgive And Forget
Our generation is often known for holding on to grudges and making sure that the other party is aware of it. After all, we are the generation that created “cancel culture” and turned it into an incredibly damaging system of reprimanding those with a platform. Now while this isn’t true for every specific case (if you truly can’t forgive–listen to yourself!), sometimes it’s important to move past an issue or simply sacrifice being right for the greater good.
4. Treat Others How You Want To Be Treated
Think about the concept of “love languages” and now apply it to any kind of relationship that you want to strengthen. The five love languages are gifts, words of affirmation, physical touch, acts of service, and quality time. This goes both ways. Whether it be reassuring your significant other, performing an act of service for your parents, or having some fun quality time with your best friends, treating others how you want to be treated is a great way to build a strong connection. These were just a few examples, but one thing is certain, if you put out positive and encouraging energy, that’s exactly what you should get back.
Ana Pujol
5. Encourage Shared Goals
There is nothing more rewarding than to see others around you succeed. I have found that I like to surround myself with people with common goals and interests. Pushing others to be the best version of themselves and to strive to accomplish all your goals is an amazing way to both serve as a supportive individual and also push yourself to work harder.
Ana Pujol
Building healthy relationships is an important aspect of growing as a person. Remember, listen to yourself and tailor these tips to your personal situations. Understanding the needs of others, and working to nourish your connections can be an incredibly rewarding experience.
Ana Pujol
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