General Information About Social Network

You can read the full article below.

Relationships form our social network. A social network does not mean that we need to know as many people as possible or constantly be making new connections. Your social network consists of those people and relationships that are meaningful to you.

Relationships - Each Person’s Unique Network of People

Everyone’s network is different. It can include people from family, school, or hobbies. The network can also include neighbors or familiar faces at the local store. A social network doesn’t need to be particularly large or include dozens of people. What matters more than quantity is that you are satisfied with your network.

There is no single, ideal social network that we all should strive for. We are also individuals in this regard. Some people are content with just a few close contacts, while others value a broad group of varying, more distant, or deeper relationships. In order for your network to support your well-being, it needs to give you joy and energy. Ideally, your network should include people you can turn to when you need help.

Relationships change

Our social network inevitably changes over time. A close friend may, over the years, become more of an acquaintance, and a coworker may become closer than some of our own relatives. It is natural for some relationships in the network to last throughout life, while others fade. This happens because people’s life situations change. What once brought friends together may no longer be relevant, or a move to another town may make it harder to stay in touch, causing the relationship to end. Mental health issues or other illnesses can also change or end relationships.

Although the network inevitably changes, maintaining it requires active effort. Staying in touch requires initiative from you as well. Is there someone in your network you haven't contacted in a while? What if you sent them a message today?

Is your network suitable for you?

A social network can also be unsuitable or incomplete for you. Inappropriate relationships, such as contentious or one-sided relationships where you are always the giving party, drain your energy and leave you exhausted. In such cases, we can try to transform relationships into ones that better support our well-being and happiness, for example, by addressing difficulties openly or distancing ourselves from certain individuals.

An insufficient social network also increases loneliness. It’s good to occasionally ask yourself which relationships you are satisfied with and which you are not. What would I like to add to my social network? Which current relationships would I like to strengthen, and which would I like to reduce?

Ask the people in your network for help

Dare to rely on your network in difficult life situations. If you're feeling down, you might avoid others and be quieter than usual. You may want to be alone or not want to burden others. However, in challenging times, it’s important to stay connected with friends and loved ones. With them, you can discuss the issues that are weighing on your mind. They can offer you compassion and practical help. Just having a close person present and listening can ease your feelings.

Possible challenges in forming relationships

It can be difficult to form relationships if, for example, you've been bullied or discriminated against because of who you are. This may have gone on for years and could have become a personal "hell." These negative experiences can make it hard to trust others, and a person may think, "No one really wants to be with me," "No one cares about what I have to say," or "People are only with me out of pity." Such thoughts can be particularly common among victims of bullying and discrimination. It takes a lot of self-confidence and trust in others to try being around people again. Even just going out and interacting with others can be a courageous act.

Challenges at home

The support, understanding, and affection received in childhood can also affect one's ability to form relationships. A safe home environment can create a good foundation for making friends. If, however, you weren't allowed to express yourself, your feelings had to be hidden, or there was no emotional support at home, learning these skills as an adult may take time, or it may create a feeling of not knowing how to be around others. In this situation, practice and encouragement from friends about how to be a good friend can be helpful.