Some of these barriers are byproducts of our psychological makeup, while others are the result of unseen social forces. As a result, the path to connection is not always easy to navigate. Another great way to deepen a friendship is by prompting the other person to share more about themselves. “Ask really interesting and interested questions, giving them the opportunity to open up, or focus on offering support, help, or lifting them up,” Dr. Kirmayer suggests. Showing up for someone else and offering them kindness and support can go a long way in forging a new sense of trust and closeness, she adds.
By implementing the strategies listed above, not only can you forge new connections but also deepen existing ones, creating a life filled with meaningful relationships. A meaningful connection is more than just exchanging pleasantries or talking about the weather. It’s an exchange of ideas, emotions, and stories that create a bond between two people. Building such a connection requires mutual trust and understanding as well as vulnerability on both sides. Building lasting relationships starts with forming meaningful connections.
- Once you become comfortable being uncomfortable, you can learn how to connect with people too.
- Yet, in today’s world, socializing is often seen as a luxury rather than a necessity, which is why many of us push it to the bottom of our priority lists.
- That’s how you start to build connections that matter—ones based on trust and understanding.
Simple Ways To Build Meaningful Connections
It releases hormones like oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine. But by doing this, we’re ingraining the belief that we aren’t allowed to assert our needs. When we https://thelatinfeels.com hold everything in, we’re teaching ourselves that speaking up might threaten the relationship, rather than strengthen it. This achievement addiction can make it difficult to slow down and invest in relationships that don’t have clear “ROI” or measurable outcomes. Success can become its own barrier to connection when we’re constantly chasing the next big achievement.
Stay attentive to simple needs such as their emotions, physical health, and overall wellbeing. When building a connection with someone, it’s important to show genuine interest in what they have to say. This means listening carefully and giving them your undivided attention. You can also show appreciation for their thoughts or stories by commenting on them.
Embrace Vulnerability As A Strength
Being yourself might make you more vulnerable, but that’s the best way to be sure your connections are authentic. Another reason why people struggle to connect with others is that they don’t know how to ask good questions. We also see the social world through the filter of our past experiences. For example, if we’ve faced rejection in the past or struggled with prolonged loneliness, we might begin to expect rejection from others.
While face-to-face interactions are irreplaceable, technology can bridge geographical barriers, allowing us to stay in touch and nurture connections across distances. A significant portion of our communication is non-verbal. Being able to understand and respond to someone’s body language can elevate the depth of your connection.
Be Genuine With Your Admiration
Acknowledge the time that has passed and focus on catching up and finding common interests.Building a strong social network takes time and effort. Be patient, empathetic, and genuinely interested in making meaningful connections. “The beliefs we have about what our social networks should involve can stand in the way of us building new connections and relationships we can benefit from,” Dr. Kirmayer says. Sure, that makes for great screen time, but life just doesn’t always work like that. We probably don’t have to tell you just how important social connection is to your mental health and happiness. But there are tons of reasons why you might be struggling to find your people.
