My theme for the year is Connection.
So far I have been doing a good job of talking to friends I don’t regularly talk to each week. I am noticing this “connection” theme everywhere. Have you ever done the experiment where you are supposed to look for a yellow Jeep and then start seeing them everywhere? Is it because you are manifesting the yellow Jeep or is it because you are just noticing them more?
Maybe it is because the idea of connection is getting so much attention from the people I follow online and the books I read, but I feel like I keep seeing how important social connection is for our health and happiness.
I listened to this podcast https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/robert-waldinger-549 that talked about “Social Fitness.” I have never heard that term before and that is exactly what I am trying to do with my effort for a weekly connection. Dr. Waldinger’s book, The Good Life was also featured in a CFP® education class that I took. This is a topic that interests me and I plan on reading the book.
My intention for a weekly connection is to nourish my friendships and the relationships that I care about. I hear it often and agree that we MUST pay attention and make time for the people and relationships that we love. (Yes, I have some friends I have not talked to in years, and then when we do it is like not a day has passed. I don’t want to expect that or take that for granted AND don’t want to assume that will always be true.) Plus why deny me the pleasure of talking to and staying connected to the people I love and care about?
Friendships and all relationships are improved with quality time and effort.
We all are busy. What is the busy for?
I want to enjoy my time with people, so I prioritize this in my life. I am keeping track! I am only ten weeks in so I don’t have much to report other than the fact that I am doing it and enjoying it. I can’t say if it is increasing my overall happiness. I am also experiencing the satisfaction of following through and doing what I said I was going to do. Other than that, I think it is still too early to tell you much more.
One part of this podcast talks about the study where people were told to interact and talk to strangers on their commute. The control group just did what they usually do on their commute, which I assume is to keep to themselves and read, work, or scroll on their phone. The study found that those people who interacted and had a conversation with a stranger on their commute were happier that day than those who did not.
I have a strong negative reaction to being asked to interact with strangers. I LOVE keeping to myself and reading or listening to music, especially when traveling. I honestly think that I would hate interacting with strangers. That is what everyone expected in the study, before actually doing it. I am amazed at how strong my reaction is and I want to argue with the results. I honestly don’t want to try the experiment to see if it is correct. Yet as I am typing this, I must admit that the results surprised and fascinate me. It is another aspect of “connection” that I had not considered? To get outside my comfort zone I think I should try talking to strangers and see how it goes. (I doubt I will, but I am considering it.)
What theme or word did you decide on for this year? Do you still remember it? We are almost through the year’s first quarter (yikes!). I would love to hear how your theme is manifesting or going for you.
Wishing you the best,
Tara
P.S. Most of my conversations and connections are on the phone. The photo above was a recent get-together with Bob who was thoughtful enough to take the photo. He is much better about taking photos for these occasions than me.
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