What is the connection between relationships and personal growth?
We can often pinpoint relationships at the centre of our most lovely and troublesome experiences in life.
With that said, navigating relationships can be tricky, but it is also one of the most rewarding parts of life. From family members to close friends and work colleagues- each relationship has something valuable to offer. Not only do our connections help shape our self-image and provide support through our life journey and challenges – they are also powerful avenues for personal growth.
Every time we work to improve relationships with those in our circles, it feeds our quality of life. That’s why at Autumn Whispers, building healthy relationships and reconciling to the loss of relationships is at the core of our mission. We strive to provide the tools that help improve relationships.
Personal Growth through Collective Experiences
The responsibility of personal development rests squarely on our shoulders. We must develop new skills and interests, and search for experiences that expand our view of the world.
Ultimately, we are in charge of our progress daily by searching for opportunities to learn something new or rise again after defeat.
However, we do not live in isolation – life happens at home, in gatherings, and in workplaces. Our close relationships, such as spouses and siblings, shape our development process.
Social psychology studies explain this phenomenon as self-expansion. As humans, we are motivated to improve our self-efficacy, and we achieve this through close relationships as our concepts of ‘self’ intermingle.
Speaking of growth, because relationships involve people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and values, they can potentially bring us great satisfaction and success or pain and loss.
How Relationships Influence Personal Growth
In the principle of self-expansion, each person expands their ‘self’ from the perspective, characteristics, and identity of others.
The connection over time encourages us to pick on each other’s characteristics, interests, and quirks.
For instance, if we have a partner with a great sense of humour, ours will also improve with time. If our circle of friends is career-minded, we are likely to improve in our professional lives as well.
The give-and-take relationships facilitate personal growth and help us become better people.
But take caution as the opposite is also true- toxic relationships hinder growth. Exposure to manipulation, pessimism, and self-centredness breaks us, as we catch their insecurities and fears.
How Do We Improve Relationships with Those Around Us?
Building meaningful relationships with those around us is essential for a wholesome and fulfilling life.
Relationships grow out of daily interactions, so consider these tips;
Bond over common interests– Connect with your friends and create a community around interests and activities. Make sure to take the time for quality conversations that allow you to grow.
Create memories together– memories foster strong relationships as they remind us of our journey together. Take fun activities together like hiking, exploring new places, or trying out new recipes, and record them for the future.
Remember the little things– Don’t forget birthdays and anniversaries, send thoughtful cards or messages just because, or even give small gifts occasionally as tokens of appreciation. Showing kindness and thoughtfulness towards others is always appreciated.
Overall, people improve their potential when they improve relationships.
Note that the delicate dance between relationships and personal growth does not happen only in romantic, family, or friend settings. Groups and community settings also contribute to our self-expansion and growth.
So, it is vital to consistently work to improve relationships with our families, friends, spouses, and communities to benefit from these social resources.