4 Surprising Factors that Prevent You from Making Real Connections
In the age of social media, it can be really difficult to make meaningful connections in life.
No matter who you are, what you do, or your disposition, meeting people isn’t necessarily easy. Although social media and our smartphones have made it easier to communicate than ever, are we really making meaningful connections with those around us?
Some are, no doubt, but for others, it’s not so simple. Today, we’re going to discuss 4 factors that might be preventing you from making a real connection with the people around you, whether it be strangers, friends, or even family members. There’s never a simple answer to these things, but if you’re able to identify your own issues, you can start to build deeper connections.
1. You’re Not Comfortable With Yourself
The way things are today, we’re all able to hind behind an online persona, which allows us to interact with people with ease on social media and over text. In many cases, however, this doesn’t translate well to the real world. If you’re not comfortable with your real persona, it’s always going to be tough to interact in the same way you do online.
2. You’re Anxious
Social anxiety is something that many people develop and find difficult to overcome. If you’re constantly avoiding real human connections because being in uncomfortable situations or scenarios where you feel that you’ll be judged, then you probably suffer from social anxiety.
It’s common with people of all ages, but especially those that have grown up with a phone in their hands. If you’re used to talking to people and building relationships online, of course a real world connection will make your anxious at first.
3. Not Maintaining Old Connections
For many people in their 20’s, 30’s, and even 40’s, it can be difficult to make ongoing connections with people. When you start to settle down and raise children, you’re instantaneously cut off from a lot of your social life, simply because you’re too busy with your family.
There’s nothing wrong with this and it’s important to realize that those around you will understand because everyone goes through this. You don’t need to be self-concsious because you haven’t reached out to someone in months or even years. Making the leap can be tough, but reaching out to an old friend can be incredibly rewarding.
4. Social Media Is Your Social Life
We keep mentioning social media, but there’s real value in examining its effect on us as social beings. There are many benefits to social media, one being that it connects us in ways that were unimaginable prior to its existence. You can meet a person on the other side of the world and build an online relationship; that’s truly incredible.
However, a lot is lost when you spend too much time on social media. When it starts to become your entire social life, you start to develop anxieties about genuine human interaction. This, as we’ve discussed, can be difficult to overcome. Try to use social media as a way to make plans with people instead of making it the plan.
It’s Still Possible to Make a Real Connection
No matter what technologies develop in our lives, we’re still social beings that need to make a real connection with those around us. It can be difficult to work through things like social anxiety, but you can always speak to a dedicated professional about how you feel in social situations. With effort, you can start to push past these issues and find happiness in a more social life.
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