If it is important to you – you will make the time
One thing that I have noticed retrospectively is that leaving high school created a huge hole in my social circle, almost instantly. I am deeply introverted and tend to get caught up in my work and creative projects. Failing the act of remembering to reach out and make time for the people who are important to me.
Growing from that I have set a routine reminder so that I reach out and catch up with friends. Now before you go thinking that I am a heartless soul and impersonal, I am acknowledging my weaknesses by putting things in place to do better – that sounds like a win to me.
And when life is full and overwhelming I think it’s important to remember the people who have been around you and to make the effort and time to be with them. And I will be honest, sometimes putting my tools down is the last thing I want to do, but after the fact I have never felt like I wasted my time. Maintaining our connections can make a world of difference.
Other than scheduling time to see my people I also try to do to:
- Send Facebook birthday messages
- Reply promptly
- Make opportunities for group catch-ups
- Incorporate friends into activities I already do
