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Connections and Community Building
Connections and Community Building
We are social creatures and our connections to others are critical to our health and well-being. In our time of increased digital social networking, we have lost some of the value of face-to-face human interaction. Now we've entered a critical time where we must rely on social networking, but we must find ways to meaningfully connect. Key word is "meaningfully." I've asked these questions among several groups of teens, "Are SnapChat streaks really meaningful?" "Is it meaningful to you if I've sent you a picture of my sneaker or a portion of my forehead?" And you guys always laugh at how funny it sounds! Well, I challenge you now to discover what you find to be truly meaningful as you get back to some of the basics of connecting with others.
We are social creatures and our connections to others are critical to our health and well-being. In our time of increased digital social networking, we have lost some of the value of face-to-face human interaction. Now we've entered a critical time where we must rely on social networking, but we must find ways to meaningfully connect. Key word is "meaningfully." I've asked these questions among several groups of teens, "Are SnapChat streaks really meaningful?" "Is it meaningful to you if I've sent you a picture of my sneaker or a portion of my forehead?" And you guys always laugh at how funny it sounds! Well, I challenge you now to discover what you find to be truly meaningful as you get back to some of the basics of connecting with others.
Practice
Practice
Yes, of course we need to connect with each other, but it will take practice to get through the initial awkwardness and frustration in doing so.
Yes, of course we need to connect with each other, but it will take practice to get through the initial awkwardness and frustration in doing so.
A likely scenario may be you trying to connect with, say your older brother. As you make a half-hearted attempt to ask him to shoot some baskets, he turns you down. You get discouraged and think, "Why even bother?!" It will take many times of taking the risk in connecting with others, knowing at times you may not get the desired result...but what if the result could boost your mood or add to your support? What could you be missing if you don't try?
A likely scenario may be you trying to connect with, say your older brother. As you make a half-hearted attempt to ask him to shoot some baskets, he turns you down. You get discouraged and think, "Why even bother?!" It will take many times of taking the risk in connecting with others, knowing at times you may not get the desired result...but what if the result could boost your mood or add to your support? What could you be missing if you don't try?
Suggested Activities
Suggested Activities
Social Media Challenge: Build breaks in mindless (and stressful) social media time and increase actual human interaction. Self-monitor your screen time ... How about deleting a social media app from your phone so you are not mindlessly checking? How long can you go without any social media? 24 hours, 48 hours, 1 hour?! (FaceTime or other face-to-face screen contact do not count and are actually recommended!) How can you connect instead? Simple conversations, games, other ideas? Set your own goals and we can connect on your progress and struggles.
Social Media Challenge: Build breaks in mindless (and stressful) social media time and increase actual human interaction. Self-monitor your screen time ... How about deleting a social media app from your phone so you are not mindlessly checking? How long can you go without any social media? 24 hours, 48 hours, 1 hour?! (FaceTime or other face-to-face screen contact do not count and are actually recommended!) How can you connect instead? Simple conversations, games, other ideas? Set your own goals and we can connect on your progress and struggles.
Interview a Relative from an Older Generation: This activity may help build connections that can help us gain perspective and learn from others' experiences, strength and resilience. We can learn some family history and the struggles and successes of that time period. Plus, look at the added bonus that they would be thrilled to have a conversation with you and learn from your generation and perspective!
Interview a Relative from an Older Generation: This activity may help build connections that can help us gain perspective and learn from others' experiences, strength and resilience. We can learn some family history and the struggles and successes of that time period. Plus, look at the added bonus that they would be thrilled to have a conversation with you and learn from your generation and perspective!
Let me know if you would like to try any of these activities and we can develop some ideas and goals.
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