Time: < 30 Minutes
STEP 1: Think about who is in your support group at the present moment—who are your “people”? When you are happy, sad, or struggling, whom do you turn to? Do they offer you the support and advice you need? Are they giving you suggestions that are in line with your values? Are they reminding you what is important in your life and helping you make appropriate decisions? If so, these are your “people”.
On the other hand, if you have people that you turn to, but they don’t offer you advice that is healthy for you and in line with your values, or they can be toxic or provide unnecessary drama in your life, then seriously consider expanding your support team and spend your time with people who are looking out for your best interests. Sometimes these realizations and ensuing steps can be hard to make, but it will benefit your well-being and happiness if you put your needs first.
STEP 2: Once you know who makes up your support system, make it a point to thank them. They have likely helped you through a lot of challenging situations or will help you in challenges to come. Perhaps they’ve been around to share in the joy of your accomplishments or have been present during significant moments of your life. Tell them how much they mean to you and how grateful you are to have them on your team—we all appreciate being appreciated.
STEP 3: Make sure that you are also available to them—reciprocity is key. You want your relationship to be balanced where you support and encourage them, as much as they support and encourage you. If you are unsure of how to do this, start by offering your support to them should they ever need it. You can also simply call to check in on them and how they are doing from time to time. Just being available and aware of the events in their lives can make all the difference.
