how's your "social fitness"?
hint: it can't be tracked on your apple watch
Recently a super cool study came out that purports the key to a happy life is having close relationships. Great news! Easy! On top of managing a partnership, working a full-time job, combatting rising inflation, raising tiny humans, and cooking dinner we need to invest in our relationships?
The crazy thing is; it’s a chicken and an egg scenario. The stronger relationships we have, the easier it is for us to manage the challenges life throws at us! It’s amazing how much more centered, calm, and focused I am knowing I have a tribe of bad as* people in my life to back me up when I need it.
Sadly, the world encourages us to “go alone”. Society is obsessed with independence: it is seen as “cool” to live alone, to travel alone, to eat alone, and don’t forget - there’s an app for that! From my perspective, the crux of the problem is that there is a misunderstanding between living independently and living interdependently while maintaining a relationship with yourself. Yes, I know how to treat myself well. Yes, I know how to enjoy my own company. Yes, I understand how to cheer myself up. But if I didn’t have anyone to connect with on my day-to-day, my life would be robbed of all the joy and pleasure!
The other day I listened to a news reporter talking about how French people are going to the grocery store instead of the boulangerie, and this man said that his ritual of going to the bakery is one of the most important joys in his life. You heard that right. Do you know why he said that? Not only because french baguette is warm, delicious, tasty, and improves every meal - but because his sacred ritual of making small pleasantries with his neighbors and the employees is vital to his well-being in life. Humans need connection, both in small ways and large.
If you are feeling like you want to assess you friendships, I’m here to be your social fitness coach. I’ve created a short 10 question quiz to see how you fare on your social skills.
I know my readers have places to GO and I want to help you get there. I am here on earth to help you SQUASH loneliness once and for all. It’s my personal mission to help you build a big, juicy community for yourself. My course, “Making Friends in the Age of Loneliness”, starts in ONE WEEK. I am now offering 1/2 off the price with the code “FIRSTFRIENDS”. I can’t wait to have you in class!