your community IS coming to save you IF you give them opportunities to do so
how to open yourself up to the world:
> get off your couch & go do things with the people you love
> stop disappearing when things get hard. let your friends into your inner world. give them the chance to help you. you don't have to carry it alone
> create lightweight ways to stay in touch - send a voice memo or random calls while you're walking/driving around
> be honest about the real stuff in your life - you'd be surprised how much empathy people give when you let them in
> you forget that you can initiate. ask your friends to join for a movie, drink, dinner.
> smile at strangers more often. you might change someone's whole day and you'll feel happier for it too
> bring back random hangouts. ask if someone is around for a last minute walk/talk
> stop missing the important moments. celebrate friend's wins genuinely - new jobs, relationships, accomplishments AND be there during the hard times too
> stop prioritizing work every time... friends often outlast jobs
> you can host small gatherings at your home to see multiple friends at once (even when life is busy)
> "how is everything going?" "thinking of you!" goes a long way in staying connected
> don't take any silence from old friends personally. it usually has nothing to do with you and they just got busy. you can double text.
> you're allowed to tell your friends what you hope for in your friendship. if you want to see them more, call more, etc. you CAN communicate
> ask your barista how they're doing, chat with a stranger in the grocery store line, give someone a compliment. you never know where it might lead!
ૐ (@BirkinAura)
actually your community IS coming to save you, people are going to show up for you, love is going to find you, strangers are going to be like angels, the world conspires for your highest good
— https://nitter.net/BirkinAura/status/2063289796022129047#m