Beyond Facebook: Develop a Support System

Social – Activity: Develop a Support System

People are social beings, and connection with others is an important part of our lives. #4 of Lessons for Living from Psychology Today, is SOCIAL NETWORKS MATTER. While Facebook is a helpful way to maintain connections with lots of people, sometimes we need deeper connections that require more care to develop.

This week, don’t wait – relate. Plan to cultivate relationships. Stay Connected with this free printable of ideas for actions you can take.

Stay Connected

Close Friends & Immediate Family (Spouse, children, mother, father, sisters, brothers)

• Converse: try some Conversation Starters
• Add fun activities and games
• Reserve a date night or kids night out
• Explore Seasonal bucket lists

Friends & Extended Family (cousins, aunts & uncles, nephews)

• Conversation Bingo
• Simple gifts
• Attend reunions or holiday get togethers

Acquaintances (Club members, co-workers, classmates, etc.)

• Join a group
• Volunteer
• Bring a snack
• Candy gifts of appreciation
• Go for coffee

Professional Support System (Teachers, Doctors, other paid service providers and agencies)

• Holiday card
• Thank-you card
• Candy gifts of appreciation

Brighten Their Day!

Communicate:

• Facebook post
• Call
• Send an email, card, or letter
• Celebrate special occasions
• Send thank-you notes
• Go for coffee

A little higher level of attention:

• Perform a Random Act of Kindness
• Help with something they need
• Visit
• Share hobbies and interests
• Start conversations
• Attend a conference and network

For your closest relationships:

• Use a Jar O Love with activities for their Love Language
• Plan to entertain and invite to dinner

Friendships are like flowers in the garden of life, which require care to flourish. We develop and maintain connections with attention and appreciation. The amount of time spent and level of connection will depend on the closeness of the relationship. Understand about boundaries and how to set them. Relationships, like conversation, consist of a well balanced give and take.

This is one of the weekly activities for a Year of Personal Development.

About dailyplanit

I seek to create order from the chaos of complex information. Join me at the Daily PlanIt to gain insights, inspiration, and information to increase skills for a better life. I unlock the power of teaching reading with phonics in the pursuit of literacy at www.phonicspow.com. In my spare time I explore books and movies, often choosing titles available on both screen and page.